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peter kobs's definitions

Spillonomics

1. A scientific way to calculate the true costs of massive oil spills, such as the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Spillonomics was conceived shortly after the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Sadly, it has become a major growth industry in the last 21 years.

Unlike other methods favored by the petroleum industry, Spillonomics takes into account both short-term clean-up costs AND long-term costs related to marine ecosystems, tourism, fishing, coastal employment, real estate values and water quality.

2. Dick Cheney's latest nightmare.
I'm majoring in Spillonomics. My uncle at Halliburton is livid. Serves him right!
by Peter Kobs June 1, 2010
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Rendezvous with Reality

1. A sudden encounter with economic reality that dramatically changes one's perceptions, plans or outlook.
2. A rude awakening to the stark differences between fantasy and actual life.
3. The dramatic change process that began in September 2008 with the collapse of the U.S. financial system.
Jean was planning to buy a vacation home in Hawaii until she had a Rendezvous with Reality -- her retirement fund had declined 50% since last fall.
by Peter Kobs May 19, 2009
mugGet the Rendezvous with Realitymug.

Turnaround Tipster

1. An economist or investor who claims to know when the stock market has "bottomed out" based on inside information or a unique set of obscure metrics. 2. Someone who tells you to "get back in the market" because the turnaround has begun. 3. A charlatan.
Ted says we should start buying stock again because the semi-conductor market is firming up in Taiwan. He's one of those Turnaround Tipsters on CNBC.
by Peter Kobs March 10, 2009
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Warm Wanter

1. Someone who lives in a cold region of the world who secretly hopes for Global Warming to accelerate.
2. The anti-scientific feeling you get in Michigan when it snows -- AGAIN -- in late April or early October.
3. A surrender to climatic selfishness at the expense of global environmental collapse.
John became a Warm Wanter after it snowed on Earth Day -- April 22 -- for the fourth year in a row!
by Peter Kobs May 18, 2009
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Orphan Key

Many people have a stash of old keys in a drawer or cabinet for "future use." Some keys have been there so long that you no longer remember what they're for. A bike lock? An old car? A cabinet at work? These are Orphan Keys.
"Honey, can we get rid of those stupid Orphan Keys in the strong box?"

"Absolutely not! One of them might open that safe we buried in the back yard during the Nixon administration...if we can find it."
by Peter Kobs August 25, 2009
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Comp Call

1. A compensation foul in football. The officials sometimes "call" a foul on team B in order to make up for a questionable foul against team A earlier in the game.

2. The unwritten law of refereeing: If you make a mistake that hurts team A, try to make up for it by calling a foul against team B later in the game. Wait at least 3:00 on the game clock so the "comp call" isn't blatantly obvious.

3. A foolish attempt to "balance" the impact of poor officiating in a high school football game.
Did you see that procedure foul on Central High in the second quarter? It was an obvious comp call to make up for that ridiculous holding call against Lakewood in the first quarter.
by Peter Kobs September 26, 2009
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Minute Money

1. Cash that's urgently needed (usually by a teenager) to purchase additional cell phone minutes. 2. The reason why pre-paid cell phones are so cheap.
"Dad! I need some Minute Money so my girlfriend can text me after the party tonight."
by Peter Kobs July 8, 2009
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