noun
When you're awarded a fancy new title and a fresh pile of responsibilities, but your paycheck doesn’t move an inch. Like a ninja, this promotion slips in silently, sounds impressive, might even look impactful—but remains completely undetectable in your bank account.
Origin:
Rumored to have started among government employees, where budget freezes were common but the need for “recognition” was high. Managers, unable to offer raises, began handing out sleek new titles like “Senior Specialist” or “Lead Coordinator” as stealthy morale boosters. The term “ninja promotion” was coined after someone joked that their new role was like a ninja—deadly serious, highly skilled, and totally invisible on payday.
Often includes:
A new title
More meetings
Higher expectations
No money
A LinkedIn update and a slice of cake
When you're awarded a fancy new title and a fresh pile of responsibilities, but your paycheck doesn’t move an inch. Like a ninja, this promotion slips in silently, sounds impressive, might even look impactful—but remains completely undetectable in your bank account.
Origin:
Rumored to have started among government employees, where budget freezes were common but the need for “recognition” was high. Managers, unable to offer raises, began handing out sleek new titles like “Senior Specialist” or “Lead Coordinator” as stealthy morale boosters. The term “ninja promotion” was coined after someone joked that their new role was like a ninja—deadly serious, highly skilled, and totally invisible on payday.
Often includes:
A new title
More meetings
Higher expectations
No money
A LinkedIn update and a slice of cake
Coworker: “I thought you got promoted?”
You: “Yeah, it was a ninja promotion. Still broke, but at least it sounds cool.”
You: “Yeah, it was a ninja promotion. Still broke, but at least it sounds cool.”
by CorporateNinja March 29, 2025
Get the ninja promotionmug. Swimming in a stranger's pool in the middle of the night without getting caught.
Bonus: going through a neighborhood, swimming in as many backyard pools as you can in one night.
Bonus: going through a neighborhood, swimming in as many backyard pools as you can in one night.
by I'mNotThatOld July 23, 2016
Get the ninja swimmingmug. by .6.7.6.Opne.6.7.6.Parenthesis. May 3, 2025
Get the <.0.6.7.6.0.>I AM The Greatest Ninja In THe WOrld<.0.6.7.6.0.>mug. 
1. One with the legendary ability to pass gas in a room full of people without being noticed.
2. A person of Indian heritage who looks to be of African descent.
2. A person of Indian heritage who looks to be of African descent.
1. I have never heard Frank fart. I believe he is a Ninja Boy.
2. I saw Isaiah eating curry. I think that he is a Ninja Boy.
2. I saw Isaiah eating curry. I think that he is a Ninja Boy.
by Laws of Gravity May 25, 2010
Get the Ninja Boymug. Someone sitting in the stall next to you whom you never hear until the toilet flushes, the sink goes off or just the bathroom door open and close.
by bigmanproductions September 3, 2013
Get the Stall Ninjamug. Man im a lyrical ninja iller dan ill urban adiction iri got me packin ammos knock yout wida speen sign info overload flo like a sylable slingin single singer wit wings comin out wit the heavy shit hack th flo stick a clown in th dome yo shank to th merk ile make yo drink terps where yo stood take yo of yo goods an give yo what yo heard flafamdam in th hood wipe out all da imbreds did yo not hear what i said
Ile knock yo out wit a blunt shank
Ile cunt yo wit a blunt instroment
Bang bang bang its th same routine take me down realize i aint cleen but ma rep gets bigger than charlie sheen beat smak yo momas on crack receive teeth ejectin beats me i boss slim shady like he 3 feet lyrical ninja like canibus th rapper
Ile cunt yo wit a blunt instroment
Bang bang bang its th same routine take me down realize i aint cleen but ma rep gets bigger than charlie sheen beat smak yo momas on crack receive teeth ejectin beats me i boss slim shady like he 3 feet lyrical ninja like canibus th rapper
by Step lupid March 26, 2021
Get the Lyrical ninjamug.