Do you speak Recession?
In this week’s Time Magazine, I was exposed to the term “boomeranger,” meaning adult children who have returned to their parent’s house to live. In these tough economic times, I bet we will see the term “boomeranger” used copiously.
Consequently, I thought to myself that there will be many other “cute terms” that will be created to explain a new reality during this recession. Here are some of the new catch phrases that I came up with considering our current economic state: Of course, as any regular reader of this blog would know, all are inspired by famous television shows or movies.
The Vandelay Maneuver-Lying to a date that you have a job even though you were recently laid off. (Seinfeld)
The Chewbecca-A hairstyle that is the direct result of skipping a haircut or two in the attempt to save money. (Star Wars)
The Al Bundy-Tying a string to a dollar bill at strip clubs and getting an instant refund. (Married with Children)
The Marla Singer-Crashing a meeting or support group for the sole purpose of enjoying free food and coffee (Fight Club)
Road Trip Financing-Selling your bodily fluids for cash (Road Trip)
Jelly Club Raise/Bonus-Instead of money, you get some type of useless gift/membership (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
The Billy Madison-When you are forced to go back to school to get a new job (Billy Madison)
The Maverick Maneuver-Splitting the winnings with a beautiful woman to win Bar Pickup Bets (Top Gun)
Fraggle Rockin-Sneaking into local farms to steal food to eat (Fraggle Rock)
Stick with the Zach Morris Phone-Instead of spending money to upgrade your cell phone, you stick with your old one. (Saved by the Bell)
MacGyver style repairs-Trying to conduct repairs by yourself using everyday items and tools. (MacGyver)
The Soprano Emergency Diet-Eating old ketchup packets when times really get tough (Sopranos)
The La Forge Strategy-Sticking with the dorky glasses instead of more expensive contacts or Lasik surgery. (Star Trek, The Next Generation)
Ralphie Parker Hunting-Using your B.B. gun (Red Ryder or other brand) for hunting game for food (A Christmas Story)
Moving to District 5-When tough economic times causes you to move to a “less desirable” section of town. (Mighty Ducks
Big Daddy Grocery Shopping-Purposefully denting canned goods in order to get a discount. (Big Daddy)
The Reality Bites Card-Allowing others to use your credit card as long as they give you the cash to earn the percentage back. (Reality Bites)
The D-FENS Technique-Not telling your family that you were laid off and pretending to go to work every day-brief case and brown bag lunch included. (Falling Down).
The John Q Health Plan-When your health insurance won’t cover something, you take matters in your own hands. (John Q)
Pull a Turtle-Become an assistant to your most successful friend. (Entourage)
The Uncle Rico-Completely emptying the contents of your hosts kitchen/refrigerator especially the steak in order to reduce your own food bills. (Napoleon Dynamite).
Did I miss any that belong on this list???
This post was feature in the 193rd Carnival of Personal Finance
I am shocked you didn’t have any for Office Space.
“Doing Drywall at the new McDonalds” – Doing any job you can find after losing your job due to a layoff or your business burning down.
“A Jump to Conclusion Mat” – Crappy inventions your friends will come up with while sitting at home unemployed.
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HILARIOUS! Gotta LOVE the D-FENS Technique. I think I will try it out if I’m let go from my job.
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Blugger – someone who comes to the pub with friends but does not shout a round.
Cheers
Greg
hehe funny! I will definetly use some of them!
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love the fragile rocking terminology, although i don’t agree with the concept. I loved fragile rock when it was on mainstream TV
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LMAO. Great list! I will definitely use the chewbecca
….Sad, but it will rebounce to 501K, I Know, be Positive,,,!!!
The Simpson Move, Telling your kids, you are broke, While you are heading to
the Casino.
Bad, Move if you are going to blow your money at this places, thinking you can
make it grwo, think twice, You will get more rewards if you go on vacations to
Mexico with the family, The Stress will be Gone, and your attitude would endure
the slow down.
\\\\\\\”The Gigolo Move\\\\\\\”, telling your Girlfriend you were laidoff, and
making her pay the bill, even so you know your Job is secure, and you never had
experience in pimping!!
These are great! Love it
That’s too funny. I’ve always loved Vandelay Industries.
Gotta love Al Bundy, thats a classic, i seem to recall Homer Simpson, or perhaps Bart doing a similar trick with a coin, he was able to get free candy etc from vending machines.
Also, Falling Down is one of my favority movies, its a classic.