pixie money
n.— «Heard a new phrase recently: “Pixie money.” This, it was explained to me, is money that doesn’t really exist. For example, you could sell your Regina bungalow for $50,000 or $100,000 more than you paid for it, but you’d then have to spend even more money in order to buy another place. So you stay put, consoling yourself with the knowledge that your home theoretically has more value—though you can’t realize it unless you sell it, move and accept the financial consequences. So unless you figure out a way to “beat the system,” that soaring real estate value is pretty well imaginary—ergo, “pixie money.”» —“Changing of the guard at CTV Regina” by Will Chabun Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) Aug. 8, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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...
The word filibuster has a long and colorful history, going back to the days when pirates roamed the high seas. Today it refers to hijacking a piece of legislation. Plus, the language of yoga teachers: When doing a guided meditation, you may hear...