Banktocracy
Entry in progress -- B.P. Vidiot Speak Tuesday, May 01, 2007Sticking it to the Washington Consensus (...)For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while, you know that I believe that…
“When you’re getting kicked in the rear, it means you’re in front”
"When you're getting kicked in the rear, it means you're in front" is often credited to Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979), but there is insufficient documentation to confirm this. The…
Flightilla (flight + flotilla)
The word "flightilla" (fly + flotilla) -- also spelled "flytilla" -- was popularized on July 6, 2011, following the failure of the "Freedom Flotilla II" to sail past…
Ronaldus Magnus or Ronaldus Maximus (Ronald Reagan’s presidential years)
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981-1989). Many conservatives look back on Reagan's presidency as a halcyon time for conservatism. Conservative radio…
Dead Parrot Economy
The British comedy troupe Monty Python's Flying Circus performed its now-famous "Dead Parrot Sketch" in 1969 and many times after that. A customer enters a pet shop to get a refund…
Carmageddon (car + Armageddon); Carpocalypse (car + apocalypse)
"Carmageddon" (car + Armageddon) is the title of a computer game, trademarked since 1997; "Carpocalyse Now"(car + apocalypse) is the title of a computer game, trademarked since…
Agflation (agriculture + inflation)
"Agflation" (agriculture + inflation) means agricultural commodity price inflation. The Wall Street Journal, on April 30, 2007, credited the term to the financial firm of Merryl Lynch,…
Depression Sandwich (hot dog)
Fluky's of Chicago -- frequently credited for originating the Chicago hot dog -- is often said to have served a "Depression Sandwich" (hot dog) for a nickel during the 1930s.…
Flytilla (fly + flotilla)
The word "flytilla" (fly + flotilla) -- also spelled "flightilla" -- was popularized on July 3, 2011, following the failure of the "Freedom Flotilla II" to sail past…
“New York’s Hometown Airline” (JetBlue)
JetBlue is a low-cost airline headquartered in Forest Hills, Queens, with a main base at John F. Kennedy International Airport (also in Queens). JetBlue has called itself "New York's…
Beartard (bear + retard)
A “beartard” (bear + retard) is a “bear” (one who believes in falling markets), but is also one who remains bearish despite bullish numbers. The term “beartard” has been cited in print…
Bulltard (bull + retard)
A "bulltard" (bull + retard) is a "bull" (one who believes in rising markets), but is also one who remains bullish despite bearish numbers. The term "bulltard" has…
“Capital is a coward”
"Capital is a coward" has been cited in print since at least 1884, but has become popular in the 2000s. The saying means that capital is conservative and does not take great and…
Free Shit Army (FSA)
The "Free Shit Army" (FSA) is a name used by James Quinn on the blog The Market Oracle, on October 11, 2010, to describe the great masses who want something for free. This can include…
“You can’t take it with you”
You Can't Take It with You is the title of a 1937 comedic Broadway play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The concept that one cannot take worldly riches into the next world probably cannot…
Union des Bandits Suisses (UBS nickname)
UBS (originally the Union Bank of Switzerland) is one of the world's largest banks and has several branches in Manhattan. The French nickname of UBS, "Union des Bandits Suisses"…
“Discretionary goods—things people don’t need, paid for with money people don’t have”
"Discretionary goods -- things that people don't really need and are paid for with money people really don't have" was written by Jon Marksman on MarketWatch on June 23, 2010.…
Mark-to-Fiction Accounting (imaginary mark-to-market accounting)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Mark-to-market accountingMark-to-mark or fair value accounting refers to accounting for the fair value of an asset or liability based on the current market…
Mark-to-Unicorn Accounting (imaginary mark-to-market accounting)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Mark-to-market accountingMark-to-mark or fair value accounting refers to accounting for the fair value of an asset or liability based on the current market…
Bank of Mom and Dad
The "Bank of Mom and Dad" is a humorous expression for a parent lending (or giving) money to a child. The Bank of Mom and Dad is often a necessary place to go for a young person with no…