Yentervention (Yen + intervention)
"Yentervention" (Yen + Intervention) is when a bank (such as the Bank of Japan) intervenes in the financial markets to support the Yen (Japan's official currency). The intervention…
Archive for /P34860
“The economy is too important to be left to economists”
"War is too important to be left to the generals" is a famous quote, attributed to Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929). The quotation has also become famous in an economics version.…
Tearrorist (tea party participant + terrorist)
A "tearrorist" or "TEArrorist" (tea party participant + terrorist) is a participant in the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) party who some people believe holds extremist views. The…
Debt Man Walking
"Debt man walking" (a pun on the title of the 1995 film Dead Man Walking) refers to someone in a lot of debt. The moniker was the title of a book, Debt Man Walking: a 10-step investment…
Super Congress
The term "Super Congress" was introduced on July 24, 2011, and became part of the deal to increase the debt ceiling. A special committee or "Super Congress" of 13 persons…
Can Do Shipyard (Brooklyn Navy Yard)
The New York Naval Shipyard (commonly called the Brooklyn Navy Yard) dates to 1801 and was especially active during World War II. "Can Do" was a popular WWII slogan and the Brooklyn Navy…
“Get while the gettin’s good”
"Get (in/out) while the gettin(g)'s good" means to take advantage of market conditions, getting in or getting out at just the right time to make or save the maximum amount of money.…
Shit Sandwich
"Shit sandwich" can literally mean a sandwich of excrement between two slices of bread. The term "shit sandwich" is usually used as an idiom for being forced to take something…
Satan Sandwich
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) called a July 2011 budget deal that he didn't like “a sugar-coated Satan sandwich.” There had been infrequent previous printed citations for "Satan…
COTUS (Constitution Of The United States)
"COTUS" is an acronym for "Constitution Of The United States." The term "COTUS" was cited in print in 1948, but began to be popularly used since about 2000. Similar…
VPOTUS (Vice President Of The United States)
"VPOTUS" is an acronym for "Vice President Of The United States." The term "VPOTUS" has been cited in print since at least 1993-1994, when it referred to Al Gore.…
FLOTUS (First Lady Of The United States)
"FLOTUS" is an acronym for "First Lady Of The United States." The term "FLOTUS" has been cited in print since at least 1983, when it referred to first lady Nancy…
POTUS (President Of The United States)
"POTUS" is an acronym for "President Of The United States." The shorter "POT" stood for "President of the" in the book The Phillips Telegraphic Code (1879)…
SCOTUS (Supreme Court Of The United States)
"SCROTUS" is an acronym for the "Supreme Court Of The United States." The term was used by 19th century telegraphers and appears in the book The Phillips Telegraphic Code (1879)…
SCROTUS (Supreme Court Republicans Of The United States)
"SCOTUS" is an acronym for the "Supreme Court Of The United States." An extra letter"R" is often added, making it "SCROTUS," similar to the word…
Hollow Prize
The concept of minority mayors winning a "hollow prize" comes from the study, Black Control of Central Cities: The Hollow Prize (1969), by H. Paul Friesema. When a minority finally rises…
Politics of Respectability
The term "politics of respectability" is credited to a chapter title in Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham's book, Righteous Discontent: The women's movement in the Black Baptist…
Politics of Personal Destruction
During Bill Clinton's successful campaign for the U.S. presidency in 1992, questions about his character began to emerge. Reports of extra-marital affairs with Gennifer Flowers and of dodging…
Politics of Grievance
The "politics of grievance" means telling a political group that they've been wronged (this can be real or can play to prejudices) and that electing a particular politician will…
“You’re either a contrarian or a victim”
Global Resource Investments founder Rick Rule maintains a "contrarian or victim" philosophy -- one is either a contrarian or a victim. That is, one either invests with the masses and…