Peter Kobs's definitions

Gellie

A perjorative term for "Evangelical" or someone who speaks with Evangelical fervor, especially a member of the Evangelical Christian right in the United States. This relatively new slang term is sometimes used by non-Evangelical Christians, as well as non-believers, to denote a shallow or knee-jerk kind of religious thinking that promotes an "us vs. them" worldwiew.

"Gellie" or "Gelly" is derived from the third syllable of EvanGELical. The word can have both playful and offensive connotations. It is related to the word "Fundie" for fundamentalist.

"That new mega-church in Colorado Springs is full of hand-waving gellies."

by Peter Kobs June 20, 2008

Flu Fright

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

Reployment

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.

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

Muddle Class

1. A new name for the American middle class as people try to survive the current economic crisis by "muddling through" with less money and less security.
2. The growing spirit of economic fatalism in mainstream America.

Everyone on our street is struggling to pay the bills. We're the new Muddle Class!

by Peter Kobs April 1, 2009

The Great Disruption

1. A frightening new historical era that began in 2008 with the crash of world economies and the simultaneous collapse of trust in governing institutions. 2. A wrenching shift in human society resulting from 50 years of unsustainable development, over-population, environmental degredation, economic injustice and rapid resource depletion. 3. The growing realization that sophisticated "financial engineering" cannot solve the growing list of real-world problems.

The Great Disruption could be the biggest challenge in human history since the collapse of the Roman Empire in 466 A.D.

by Peter Kobs March 9, 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

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