Recession Talk

Hello people!
This text that I'm posting is a very interesting one from Speak Up (Issue 266).
It's a good one, once it's about new words and expressions that have just been created. So let's keep our eyes on them.

"As you know, the world is in a major economic recession. this is bad, but there are some positive aspects. For example, the English language is becoming richer. New words are invented every day. Here are some examples:

STAYCATION
In a recession people have less money. Many families can't afford to go on a holiday or to go on a vocation. So they stay at home. They don't go on vocation, they go on "staycation". This is a combination of "stay at home" and "vocation". It's an example of a "portmanteau" word; a new word composed of two existing words. Staycation was coined - or invented -by a Canandian comedian, Brent Butt.

RECESSIONISTA
If holidays are a problem in a recession, then so is fashion. It isn't easy to buy new clothes when you have no money, but some people can dress well with no money, if they have a good sense of fashion. A person (usually a woman) who dresses well is called a "fashionista": a person (usually a woman) who dresses well in a recession is called a "recessionista." This is another portmanteau word: it's a combination of "fashionista" and "recession."

ZOMBIE BANK
One of the principal causes of the recession is the banking system. Today everybody hates banks and bankers. There's now a new expression: a "zombie bank." This is a bank that's like a zombie: it is half-dead and healf-alive. A zombie bank is dead, but it is still alive because of government intervention.

THE GREAT RECESSION
Recession is, of course, not a new word, but the "Great Recession" is a new phrase. "The Great Recession" started in December 2007. It's called "The Great Recession" because it's similar to the "Great Depression" of the 1930s. It will probably last a long time. Life will be difficult, but there will be lots of new words!"

From Speak Up 266 - October 2009.

I really hope you have enjoyed these new words and expressions, which seem to be here to stay.