Economedian (economist + comedian)
The term "economedian" (economist + comedian) can apply to an economist who has a sense of humor, or it can have a derogatory use describing an economist who is laughably bad at the…
Archive for 12/2013
Boroughite (inhabitant of a borough)
New York City was consolidated into five boroughs (Bronx. Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island) in 1898. A "boroughite" is, theoretically, an inhabitant of any borough, but the term…
“Get off my phone!” (radio talk show saying)
"Get off my phone!" was the catchphrase of conservative talk radio host Bob Grant (1929-2013). If Grant didn't like a caller, Grant would shout, "Get off my phone, you…
“It’s the Jewish new year 5768 and I still write 5767 on my checks” (joke)
An old joke is that in January (the first month of the year), a check writer mistakenly writes the old year on a check. That joke has been cited in print since at least 1969. Late night television…
“Wine, dine and sixty-nine”
"Wine, dine and sixty-nine" (also "Wine me, dine me, sixty-nine me") is one version of date. The slang term "sixty-nine" (69) is a sexual position. "Wine me, Dine…
“What’s a shy and retiring accountant?” (joke)
Accountants are usually conservative personalities. "What's a shy and retiring accountant?" goes an old joke. "An accountant who's half a million shy and that's why…
“Show me a successful person, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity”
"Show me anyone who is successful, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity" is a saying that has been frequently said by American football coach and motivational speaker…
Seastead (sea + homestead); Seasteading
"Seasteading" (sea + homesteading) consists of establishing a permanent home (or "seastead") on the sea, outside of a nation's territory. The idea has appealed to…
“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one”
"The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one" is an employment quotation that is frequently credited to author Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), but there is no evidence…
Richistan (a place where rich people live)
"Richistan" ("rich" with a "-stan" suffix) is a place where rich people live. The term was popularized by Wall Street Journal writer Robert Frank in his book,…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled”
"It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled" is a saying that has been credited to the writer Mark Twain (1835-1910). However, the saying appears to have…
Fracktivist or Fractivist (fracking + activist); Fracktivism or Fractivism
Hydraulic fracturing is commonly known as "fracking." A "fracktivist" (fracking + activist) is someone who is against the fracking procedure. "Fractivist" has been…
“Fashion changes more frequently than the weather”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksCricket, Volume 4LaSalle, IL: Open Court Publishing Company1976Pg. 596:Mini, midi, maxi! Fashion changes faster than the weather, usually with less reason.…
Management of Perception Economics (MOPE)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Jim Sinclair's MineSetIn The News TodayPosted June 25th, 2009 at 10:09 PM (CST) by Jim Sinclair & filed under In The News.(...)Look out the window and stop…
Neiman Marxism (Neiman Marcus + Marxism); Neiman Marxist
Neiman Marcus is an American luxury specialty department store that was founded in Texas. "Neiman Marxism" (Neiman Marcus + Marxism) was explained on the blog pan kisses kafka on December…
“It’s the thought that counts”
"It's the thought that counts" is sometimes said when someone buys an inexpensive gift. An article about Christmas giving in 1885 stated: "It is not the value of what is given…
“Maple syrup is thicker than blood” (joke)
"Blood is thicker than water" is an old saying than means that family (blood) is more important than friends (water). A joke version of the proverb was published on Twitter on May 11,…
“Lose one’s shirt” (become impoverished)
To "lose one's shirt" is to lose everything. "Lose your shirt" was cited in print in 1886, in a story about gambling at draw poker. "Uncle Sam (...) has not 'lost…
Bank of Japandemonium (Bank of Japan + pandemonium)
The term "Japandemonium" (Japan + pandemonium) had been used before, but the financial blog Testosterone Pit coined "Bank of Japandemonium" (Bank of Japan + pandemonium) on…
“I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day”
“We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day" is what supermodel Linda Evangelista said in Vogue, “Pretty Women,” by Jonathan Van Meter, October 1990. Evangelista was joking, talking…