Peter Kobs's definitions
1. An idealized town, hamlet or village built solely for propaganda purposes -- usually by a totalitarian or autocratic government.
The most famous example is Kijŏng-dong ("Peace Village"), a mostly uninhabited village located in North Korea just beyond the demilitarized zone. It was built in the 1950s to encourage South Koreans to defect to North Korea. (Fat chance.) Officially, Kijŏng-dong is a 200-family collective farming town with all the amenities. In reality, it is used to house DPRK soldiers who patrol the DMZ. The world's tallest flagpole stands nearby.
2. A Propaganda Village is a real-life version of a "Potemkin Village." According to myth, Russian ministry Grigory Potyomkin tried to impress Empress Catherine II in 1787 during her visit to Crimea by building fake peasant buildings (facades only) along her travel route. Historians now believe this was a rumor drummed up by Potyomkin's enemies. What he really did was get local peasants to spruce up their homes in advance of the monarch's visit.
The most famous example is Kijŏng-dong ("Peace Village"), a mostly uninhabited village located in North Korea just beyond the demilitarized zone. It was built in the 1950s to encourage South Koreans to defect to North Korea. (Fat chance.) Officially, Kijŏng-dong is a 200-family collective farming town with all the amenities. In reality, it is used to house DPRK soldiers who patrol the DMZ. The world's tallest flagpole stands nearby.
2. A Propaganda Village is a real-life version of a "Potemkin Village." According to myth, Russian ministry Grigory Potyomkin tried to impress Empress Catherine II in 1787 during her visit to Crimea by building fake peasant buildings (facades only) along her travel route. Historians now believe this was a rumor drummed up by Potyomkin's enemies. What he really did was get local peasants to spruce up their homes in advance of the monarch's visit.
by Peter Kobs June 10, 2010
Get the Propaganda Village mug.1. An imaginary economic system that will magically replace millions of jobs lost to outsourcing, downsizing and low-wage overseas competition.
2. A feel-good term used by politicians to distract attention from their own immense policy failures.
3. Something that's always "just around the corner" if we only "do the right things."
2. A feel-good term used by politicians to distract attention from their own immense policy failures.
3. Something that's always "just around the corner" if we only "do the right things."
Michigan's governor said we must prepare for the New Economy by turning 400,000 unemployed auto workers into video game programmers and pastry chefs. That's the ticket!
by Peter Kobs May 3, 2010
Get the New Economy mug.1. A rallying cry for people who think the United States has been "taken over" by anti-American socialists, foreigners, liberals, Marxists, minorities, etc.
The phrase is typically used by white male conservatives who oppose any type of change they perceive as a "threat" to their "way of life." Instead of providing a specific plan for improving the country or the government, they imply that the nation has been "kidnapped" by evil people who hate America and want to destroy freedom.
Unanswered questions: A) Who is "we"? B) Where do "we" want to take the country back to?
2. A phrase that implies our current government is somehow "illegitimate" despite the election of November 2008 when a majority of Americans voted for Obama and the current Congress.
The phrase is typically used by white male conservatives who oppose any type of change they perceive as a "threat" to their "way of life." Instead of providing a specific plan for improving the country or the government, they imply that the nation has been "kidnapped" by evil people who hate America and want to destroy freedom.
Unanswered questions: A) Who is "we"? B) Where do "we" want to take the country back to?
2. A phrase that implies our current government is somehow "illegitimate" despite the election of November 2008 when a majority of Americans voted for Obama and the current Congress.
ED: "We've got to take back our country. Otherwise those people in Washington will force our children to become Communist Muslim freedom-hating slaves of Obama. The rest of us will be forced to live in secret FEMA concentration camps. Just you wait and see!"
CINDY: "You've been watching Fox News again, haven't you?"
CINDY: "You've been watching Fox News again, haven't you?"
by Peter Kobs July 6, 2010
Get the Take back our country mug.1. A low-level official who wields great power in a bureaucratic system -- the opposite of an "overloard."
2. Someone who can make your life miserable by enforcing obscure rules and regulations in a sadistic manner.
3. The true power brokers of bureaucracy.
2. Someone who can make your life miserable by enforcing obscure rules and regulations in a sadistic manner.
3. The true power brokers of bureaucracy.
Don't upset Marvin! He's the Underlord of the insurance claims division. With one click of a button, he can double your premiums or deny you coverage.
by Peter Kobs December 11, 2009
Get the Underlord mug.1. A scenic route around Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which is also known as the "U.P." or "Yoop." Motorcyclists are especially fond of this semi-wilderness experience.
2. An alternative route from Wisconsin to lower Michigan. Instead of slogging through the heavy traffic of metro Chicago, adventurous drivers can take the "Yoop Loop" over the top of Lake Michigan and then across the Mackinac Bridge to lower Michigan. Longer, yes, but way more beautiful.
3. A generic term for any trip that takes the traveler through Michigan's Upper Peninsula en route to somewhere else -- one of the great undiscovered pleasures of the North Country.
2. An alternative route from Wisconsin to lower Michigan. Instead of slogging through the heavy traffic of metro Chicago, adventurous drivers can take the "Yoop Loop" over the top of Lake Michigan and then across the Mackinac Bridge to lower Michigan. Longer, yes, but way more beautiful.
3. A generic term for any trip that takes the traveler through Michigan's Upper Peninsula en route to somewhere else -- one of the great undiscovered pleasures of the North Country.
"Don't drive through that traffic mess in Chicago. Let's take the Yoop Loop instead."
"What if our car breaks down and we're attacked by bears?"
"It's better than being attacked by gang bangers on the Dan Ryan Expressway!"
"What if our car breaks down and we're attacked by bears?"
"It's better than being attacked by gang bangers on the Dan Ryan Expressway!"
by Peter Kobs September 9, 2009
Get the Yoop Loop mug.1. The irrational fear of a new influenza virus, stoked by hysterical news reporting and inaccurate information. 2. A way to increase ad sales and viewership on 24-hour news channels.
Susan is suffering from a bad case of Flu Fright. She's cancelled all of her committee meetings and refuses to come to work.
by Peter Kobs April 30, 2009
Get the Flu Fright mug.1. The act of re-employing someone (who was previously laid off) as a temp worker, usually at a lower wage scale.
2. What happens to many people who have lost their permanent jobs following the crash of 2008.
3. Another sign of the harsh economic times in which we live.
2. What happens to many people who have lost their permanent jobs following the crash of 2008.
3. Another sign of the harsh economic times in which we live.
Acme Industries is having a Reployment Fair at the hotel downtown. They'll re-hire you as a temp at about half of what you were earning last year.
by Peter Kobs December 7, 2009
Get the Reployment mug.