Peter Kobs's definitions

Zombie Company

1. A technically bankrupt company that is kept alive with large infusions of government money for the sake of "stability" in the U.S. financial system. 2. A large financial company with negative net worth that continues to operate, despite having no clear path to solvency. 3. The UnDead of Wall Street.

"AIG is the premier example of a zombie company -- kept alive only by $120 billion in federal bailout money. Apparently, it's considered too large to fail."

by Peter Kobs March 9, 2009

Vid Kid

A child raised on television and video games with little or no parental supervision. Vid kids often have poor social skills, very limited attention spans and less maturity than their peers. Vid kids suffer from a mild form of child abuse rooted in parental neglect.

Jason's a typical vid kid -- he never pays attention in class.

by Peter Kobs January 5, 2009

Bag a boo

Someone who brags excessively; an ostentatious self-promoter.

"Don't you brag, and don't you boast
Grief comes to those who brag the most
Why are you crummy, you're crummy fe true?
Why are you acting like a bag a boo?"

Blues lyrics by Clancy Ecles, Jamaican ska and reggae singer, circa 1962

by Peter Kobs June 17, 2008

Doom Plume

1. A massive undersea oil plume that threatens to destroy marine life for thousands of square miles, even though it's not visible from the surface.

2. The biggest environmental threat from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

3. Out of sight, out of mind? Not so much.

The Doom Plume from BP's Deepwater Horizon pipe is spreading fast. It could reach as far as the Atlantic Coast of Florida and Mexico's Riviera Maya.

by Peter Kobs May 16, 2010

Fear Profiteer

1. Someone who stands to gain power, influence or funding by spreading fear in the general population. 2. A sophisticated type of 21st century fear monger who uses PR methods to generate panic, doubt and free-floating anxiety. 3. Dick Cheney and his ilk.

Thanks to that Fear Profiteer in Wyoming, all shampoo bottles will be banned on U.S. flights.

by Peter Kobs July 17, 2009

Certainty Pimp

Someone who sells "certainty" on a particular issue to gain money or power -- usually a politician, pundit or preacher. Certainty Pimps don't like shades of gray because they force people to think for themselves.

Did you see that Certainty Pimp on TV? He says the recent cold snap is proof that global warming is a complete hoax.

by Peter Kobs January 17, 2009

Notirement

1. The new era of "no retirement" for Baby Boomers who lost big on Wall Street; 2. The unpleasant choice between ceaseless work and late-life poverty.

After the market crashed in '08, Jane started planning for her notirement years.

by Peter Kobs February 1, 2009