ponzi scheme 

see social security.
A scam involving paying off money to old investors with new investors' money. Eventally the last group of people paying into the scam never get their money back.

Bill: Hey Will, what's this line on my paycheck that says "Social security"?
Will: It's the government's ponzi scheme. You'll never see that money again.

ponzi scheme by Pseu D. Onym October 11, 2010

ponzi scheme 

1) A phrase used by idiots for any type of scam.

2) A specific type of scam. The operator (often from nigeria) of the scam promises "investors" that their money will be doubled in a certain number of days. The operator depends on the money provided by later investors to pay off his obligations to the earlier investors. This turns out splendidly for the early investors (assuming that it takes off), but later investors get the short end of the stick, as no more people are enrolling. At this point, the operator usually takes the money he has left and runs. This generally sucks for the later investors. Not that I care, because you have to be a total dumbass to enroll in a ponzi scheme anyhow.

1) Bill: these people are trying to make me think I can get a free iPod for answering a survey. Looks like a ponzi scheme to me.
Me: Bill, you dumbass. That's not a ponzi scheme.

2) Just great. I just got another one of those get-rich-quick spams. I'm amazed that anyone buys into ponzi schemes.

ponzi scheme by gmx December 16, 2004

Attention Span Ponzi Scheme 

An Attention Span Ponzi Scheme is a system of recruitment of people to pay attention to a topic. People recruited to the topic are then encouraged to drag in the attention spans of others.

The entire system collapses when everyone realizes that the topic is bankrupt of value to be discussed in the first place.

Examples of Attention Span Ponzi Schemes include chain letters, time-wasting Facebook applications, and any social reference group that is based on recruiting others to participate or play for the subject to have sustained interest.

Attention Span Ponzi Scheme by GarethBeaumains March 12, 2009

ponzu scheme 

When a Japanese restaurant serves the wrong sauce.

I was the victim of a ponzu scheme at a Japanese restaurant when I asked for low-sodium soy sauce and they gave me regular soy sauce.

ponzu scheme by reisen1000 January 16, 2009

ponzu scheme 

any scheme or crafty plan involving ponzu sauce.

I got caught up in a ponzu scheme. My hama kama is ruined! Along with my whole vida.

ponzu scheme by emmpanadas September 6, 2013

Pwnzi Scheme 

Pwning someone so bad that the only equivalent would be what Bernie Madoff did to his clients

Did you see my score in that game? Total pwnzi schemed that noob.

Pwnzi Scheme by Made off with jillions January 8, 2010