The disturbing sensation you feel when almost-human characters seem downright creepy is called the uncanny valley. Speaking of creepy, do you know someone with a morbid fear of clowns? There’s a term for that, too. Why do politicians suspend a...
paper barrel n.— «Between 2002 and the present, MacIntyre said, trading in the West Texas crude jumped from 78 million barrels a year to 86.4 million barrels. Such trading involves what are called “paper barrels.” A buyer need not take...
London loop n.— Note: ICE is a futures exchange. «The proposals are intended to stop traders from evading position limits in the US by trading on ICE—a method known as the “London loop.”» —“Oil traders fear for London’s...
rumourtrage n.— «The latest market neologism is “rumourtrage,” which means disseminating a rumour and trading on it. The practice has been around since coconuts were first traded but the proliferation of hedge funds and, more...
cleanskin n.— «The word “cleanskin” comes from a term used to describe unbranded livestock. When a winery has more wine than it can sell it has three options: 1. hang on to it; 2. discount it; or 3. sell it off unlabelled...