The word budget derives from French bougette, “leather bag.” An old phrase in English to open one’s budget, meant “to speak one’s mind.” The word purse is related to French bourse, a word for the stock market. This is part of a complete episode...
Martha explains the story behind the expression “richer than Bim Gump.” Find out more about the long-running comic strip that inspired it here. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Richer than Bim Gump” Hello, you have A Way with Words...
green shoot n.— «In recent weeks, “green shoots,” or signs of improvement in the economy (the term was coined by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke), have been eagerly received by investors who’ve been looking for reasons to jump back into...
Obamanomics n.— «What’s the future for Obamanomics? The stock market’s reaction doesn’t bode well. The Dow has fallen 18 percent since the last trading day of Bush’s term.» —“The market’s harsh verdict on Obamanomics” by Mark Skousen in New York...
Santa Claus rally n.— «Stocks have lost ground since the Dow rose 19.6 percent from late November to the first part of 2009—a year-end advance often referred to as a Santa Claus rally.» —“Stocks tumble as oil falls on economic worries” by Sara...
take under n.— «The rumor turned out to be wrong, as rumors often do. But this one even had an exact price: Lehman would be sold for $15 a share, traders buzzed all afternoon, in what would amount to a “take under”—Wall Street parlance for when a...