Whackage
Barry Ritholtz's financial blog, The Big Picture, has been using the term "whackage" (whack + package/wreckage) since at least February 2006. A typical Friday blog headline is…
Whammy Bar (vibrato for guitar)
American singer and guitarist Lonnie Mack (1941-2016) had a 1963 hit song titled "Wham." Mack became known for the use of a vibrato bar on his guitar., which would soon be known as a…
Whataboutism
"Whataboutism" is a tactic to deflect criticism by bringing up an alleged defect of the criticizing party. For example, the United States might criticize Russia, only to be told,…
Whatchamacallit (what you may call it)
"Whatchamacallit" (what you may call it) is the name of a candy bar introduced in 1978 by The Hershey Company. The slang name is of unknown authorship. "Whatchamacallit" was…
Wheeler’s Which Close (“Don’t ask if—ask which” sales technique)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Closing (sales)Alternative choice close: also called the positive choice close, in which the salesperson presents the prospect with two choices, both of which…
When you leave New York…
"When you leave New York..." There are many ways to finish this, but all generally tell you that you're not going anywhere special. "When you leave New York you are camping…
Whenever (W subway line)
The W train has been called the "Whenever" train because service has not been frequent. The W train has received the poorest grades of any subway line and also has another unfortunate…
WHINO (whine + RINO)
“RINO" (Republican In Name Only) is a popular political term that has inspired other “in name only” terms. "WHINO" (whine + RINO) was coined by Kevin D. Williamson, who wrote…
Whiskey Sour
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Whiskey sourThe whiskey sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice, sugar, and optionally, a dash of egg white. With the egg white,…
Whiskey Wednesday
"Whiskey Wednesday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Whiskey drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. "Whiskey Wednesday" has been cited in print…
Whisper Number
A "whisper number" is an unofficial earnings estimate -- a rumor or "whispered number" among analysts. A company might project an official earnings estimate, but analysts often…
Whistleblower
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: WhistleblowerA whistleblower (
White Carnation (former official drink of the Belmont Stakes)
The White Carnation (vodka, peach schnapps, and orange juice) was the official drink of the Belmont Stakes from the 1980s until 1997, when it was replaced by the Belmont Breeze. The carnation is…
White Collar
A "white collar" worker is a professional or educated worker, or someone who works in an office. A "blue collar" worker is someone of the working class, such as a tradesperson.…
White Glove Building
A "white glove building" is a building with a doorman or concierge who wears white gloves. Some people think the term is for an ultraclean building that passes the "white glove…
White Harlem (Morningside Heights)
"White Harlem" was popularized as a name for Morningside Heights by the comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) in his 1973 comedy album Occupation: Foole. "Harlem" in the name made…
White Knight
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: White knight (business)In business, a white knight, or "friendly investor" may be a corporation, or a person that intends to help another firm. There…
White Light Belt (Broadway)
Broadway is known for its bright lights, and has been called the "Bulb Belt," "Great Bright Way," "Great White Way," "Incandescent District," "Lane of…
White Money
"White money" is legitimately earned (the opposite of "black money") and fully reported for tax purposes. "White money" has been cited in print since at least 2009,…
White Oil (lithium nickname)
Lithium has many commercial uses, such as in batteries. Lithium was nicknamed "white oil" in April 2016 because of its white color and because of its importance to energy (like oil).…