donut economy
n.— «Economists now refer to the US as having a “donut economy”- it is hollowed at the center, heavily reliant on cheap imports from China, excessive military spending and a corrupted stock market to drive it. The US mortgage scandal has been compared to a Ponzi scheme-funny money, chasing funny money that ultimately vaporizes.» —“World Issues: “M” is for Multilateralism; “D” is for Delusional” by Robert Billyard Canadian Democratic Movement Apr. 10, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
If you speak a second or third language, you may remember the first time you dreamed in that new tongue. But does this milestone mean you’re actually fluent? And a couple’s dispute over the word regret: Say you wish you’d been able...
While reading Great Expectations (Bookshop|Amazon) by Charles Dickens, a listener in Arlington, Texas, is surprised when one of the characters inherits some money, which Dickens describes as a cool four thousand. Were they really using cool that way...