Many years ago, when I was an undergrad student, a professor of mine
refused to allow me to use the work "consumption" in an essay because it
reminded him of TB. Perhaps, ultimately, he was right. Consumption
may be a disease.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2000 5:28
PM
Subject: The Devil's Dictionary
Ambrose Bierce wrote "The Devil's Dictionary." My personal
favourite in it is "Puritanism, the linger fear that someone, somewhere might
be enjoying himself."
It occurred to me that it might be fun and useful to write
"A Devil's Dictionary of Economics" especially for the "motherhood" words like
"investment." I've done three so far. Contributions would be welcome; they may
wind up on a new website I'm working on.
Victor
The Devil's Dictionary
Productivity a justification
for not paying employees a living wage as long as someone, somewhere, may be
earning less.
Investment (aka takeover) a means of having your tax write-off cake
and eating it too.
Economic growth the increase of seven-digit bank accounts to eight
digits or more.