Flip-Flop (Flip-Flopper)
A politician is called a "flip-flopper" when he or she "flip-flops" (changes position) on an issue. The terms come from the 19th century; an older term is…
“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”
"In a time/state of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" is a statement often attributed to author George Orwell (1903-1950). The saying doesn't appear in his…
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies”
"Truth is treason in the empire of lies" was written by Ron Paul, a candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, in his book, The Revolution: A Manifesto (2008). The saying…
Ponzimonium (Ponzi scheme + pandemonium)
The word "ponzimonium" (Ponzi scheme + pandemonium) was coined by Bart Chilton, a commissioner on the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in March 2009. Chilton…
Timber (Political Timber; Gubernatorial Timber; Presidential Timber)
The word "timber" has meant "a personal quality or character" since at least 1612. Political "timber" has long been spoken of in American politics. The term…
Helicopter Drop or Helicopter Printing Press (“Helicopter Ben” Bernanke)
The economist Milton Friedman (1912-2006) wrote, in 1969, about dropping money from a helicopter to stimulate the economy. In November 2002, Ben Bernanke (then a member of the Board of Governors of…
A great place to hang your hat (Paris, Texas slogan)
The city of Paris, Texas constructed a 65-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower in 1993. A red cowboy hat rests at the top of the tower. Paris has used the slogan "A great place to hang your…
Harlem Hilton (FDNY Engine 69, Ladder 28)
FDNY Engine 69, Ladder 28, Battalion 16 is located at 248 West 143rd Street, in a building built in 1917. The firehouse has been called the "Harlem Hilton" since at least 1980. There is…
Substandard & Poor or Substandard & Porous (Standard & Poor’s nickname)
Standard & Poor's (S&P) is one of the "big three" credit-rating agencies, along with Moody's and Fitch. On August 5, 2011, S&P received much criticism for…
“First the free market dies, then dies democracy”
Folker Hellmeyer, the chief strategist with Bremer Landesbank, was quoted on a German website on October 12, 2008: "Erst stirbt der freie Markt, dann stirbt die Demokratie.""First…
Bank of Failmerica (Bank of America nickname)
Bank of America is one of the Big Four of America's banks (along with Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo). The United States of America has been called "Failmerica" (fail +…
“Let the people know the truth and the country is safe”
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln told the Boston (MA) Journal in July 1864: "I have faith in the people. They will not consent to disunion. The danger is, that they are misled. Let them know the…
Repulsican (repulsive + Republican)
"Repulsican" (repulsive + Republican) is a nickname used by someone who finds Republicans to be repulsive. The term "Repulsican" has been cited in print since at least May 1992.…
Damnocracy (damn + democracy); Damnocrat (damn + Democrat)
"Damnocracy" (damn + democracy) and "Damnocrat" (damn + Democrat) are terms used by people who believe that democracy or Democrats are damnable. "Damnocrat" has been…
Greater Recession
The "Great Depression" is the popular name for the economic crisis of the 1930s; the term "Great Recession" has been used since the Great Depression for smaller economic dips,…
Staten Island Tuxedo
A "Staten Island tuxedo" has been described as a velour track suit, often worn by Italian men from Staten Island. The "Staten Island tuxedo" term has been in the Urban…
New York Alphabet or Brooklyn Alphabet (“Fuckin’ A, fuckin’ B, fuckin’ C…”)
New York City has long had a tough reputation, with the F-word frequently used, An old joke has it that the "New York alphabet" (or "Brooklyn alphabet" or "New Jersey…
“It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission”
"Always remember that it's much easier to apologize than to get permission," said Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (1906-1992) in December 1982. "It's easier to ask forgiveness…
ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy)
"ZIRP" (or "Zirp") stands for "Zero Interest Rate Policy." The Bank of Japan used ZIRP in 1999-2000, and the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States used ZIRP in…
Blameocracy (blame + democracy); Blameocrat (blame + bureaucrat)
A "blameocracy" (blame + democracy) is when one political party blames another political party for seemingly all of the country's problems, or when a president blames the previous…