MOTHER JONES BY E-MAIL

«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»

McDonald's Rewrites Definition of Chutzpah

mcdonaldscrew.gif

I'm lovin' it. McDonalds has asked the Oxford English Dictionary to change its definition of "McJob." Since 2003, the OED has defined it as "an unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, esp. one created by the expansion of the service sector.” Mickey D's house lexicographer claims that such a definition "is out of date, out of touch with reality and most importantly it is insulting to those talented, committed, hard-working people who serve the public every day." Actually, the two definitions don't conflict at all; the OED just bothers to mention that service sector jobs are poorly paid. Maybe it should redefine "minimum wage" while it's at it; something like, "An artificially high, mandated wage that prevents the creation of exciting opportunities for talented, committed, hard-working people who want to make people smile." Hopefully, OED will stick to its guns. Otherwise, they may have to redefine "chutzpah," too.






Comments

The quote that you put up from McDonald's lexicographer, though not mutually exclusive as compared to the OED definition of McJob, is describing the people in the service industrty and not the "Mc"-job itself.

McDonald's definition of McJob, according to the site you supplied, is "a job that is stimulating, rewarding and offers genuine opportunities for career progression and skills that last a lifetime.”

And yes, that definition, as compared to the OED's, is VERY different.

Posted by: Gimme A. Break on 03/20/07 at 11:15 AM  Respond

I worked there. I got my minimum wage. It was the single worst and least intellectually stimulating environment I have ever been in.

Posted by: Tom on 03/20/07 at 11:39 AM  Respond

The OED should really correct the entry:

"A demeaning, slave-wage job that has no rewards and makes the career of crack dealer look more promising every minute you are there. The only skill you learn from it is the ability to work under terrible conditions without cuttings your wrists at the first opportunity."

Posted by: Skawt on 03/20/07 at 12:07 PM  Respond

Everyone knows that Mickey Dees is crap food and a crap place to work. The funny thing is how they try and market thenselves now as either healthy or hip-hop style, trying to appeal to the black community- the commercials are funny. Lastly, what is really pathetic is the dumb people who eat at McDeath regularly and blame the restuarant more turning them into a Fat [deleted by moderator]. This isn't the problem-people can cook for themselves for cheaper and eat healthier but they would rather drive their lard [deleted] through the drive through and get they "Third Pounder wid Cheese" because it's easier. Parents who feed their kids this [deleted] everyday are also probably too dumb to be breeding anyway. Oh yeah, probably not a desirable place to work unless you happen to own the frachise.

Posted by: Freedumb Ain't Free on 03/20/07 at 1:44 PM  Respond

The biggest part of the mistake on McD's part is to forget that dictionaries are descriptive NOT proscriptive.

It is the job of a dictionary to report word use, not mandate it. That's why it is now becoming acceptable to say "I am nauseaus" rather than "I feel nauseated". The two used to mean very different things. The latter would have indicated that the speaker felt ill. The former would have indicated that the speaker's presence caused nausea in others.

Posted by: Misanthropic Scott on 03/20/07 at 1:50 PM  Respond

It's always been my impression that the word "McJob" is intended to compare the job to McDonald's food (i.e., easy to get, but boring, and all similar to one another), not to McDonald's jobs--though it applies to them as well.

Posted by: Evan on 03/20/07 at 2:37 PM  Respond

Someone McProtesteth too much.

Posted by: Quaker in a Basement on 03/20/07 at 3:23 PM  Respond

The origin of "McJob" as a word is really easy to find -- it was coined in the novel _Generation X_ by Douglas Coupland. His definition was:

"A low-pay, low-prestige, low-dignity, low-benefit, no-future job in the service sector. Frequently considered a satisfying career choice by people who have never held one."

I have to imagine that McDonald's lexicographer is one of those "people who have never held one."


Posted by: Reader Rabbit on 03/20/07 at 3:28 PM  Respond

It always amazes me that McD's gets away with calling it's outlets 'restaurants'. I hope the OED doesn't cave in to the pressure. McD's personnel should worry more about the conditions it imposes on it's workers and less about word definitions.

Posted by: Gids on 03/21/07 at 12:08 PM  Respond

Many discount stores like Wal-Mart and HyVee have physicians on staff for basic medical services. Is this the beginning of McMedicine?

Posted by: Denise Turner on 03/21/07 at 7:18 PM  Respond

The line that OED is "insulting" McD workers is strangely (or not) reminiscent of the standard Bush admin. line that critics of Bush war policies are "insulting" our brave and dedicated troops.

You have to wonder if their PR people graduated from the same school.

Posted by: Nancy Irving on 03/21/07 at 10:54 PM  Respond

hey .
what are social issues?

Posted by: louise on 05/14/07 at 1:25 AM  Respond

Hmmm... If I had an investment in McDonalds, I'd consider liquidating it quick-smart.

If petitioning the OED to do something that it will never, ever, ever do in a million years is seen as good policy in McDonalds, then the corporation is run by idiots.

The OED is the most comprehensive historical dictionary of English. They never remove entries, and their definition of 'McJob' is, frankly, correct.

If you threatened to murder their staff members unless they removed the word 'McJob', they wouldn't do it. McDonalds has zero chance of getting them to revise this entry, and by following this ridiculous strategy, is reinforcing ridicule of their corporation.

Posted by: kim on 05/23/07 at 10:14 PM  Respond

I just love it. Every one of you seem to think that, unless you are interested in fast food management or franchising (very lucrative careers, by the way)that a job at McDonalds is anything more than an ENTRY LEVEL JOB.Don't remember what that means? It's now called "jobs Americans won't do" by those who have an interest in justifying the criminal behavior of the hoards of illegals streaming across our borders. Entry level has never meant that you were expected to make a career out of it. It has always been a place to learn the ropes of the free market society we have worked so hard to establish.A place to learn that the world no longer revolves around you like mommy and daddy taught you and that if you want to get anywhere in this world it means you have to start at the bottom in in a low pay, uninspiring job.You learn how to show up on time with a showered body and (if appropriate or possible) a close shave. You learn the value of money and how it relates to your effort. A days pay for a days work. This seems to have been lost to the kids comeing along. The McJob is nothing more nor less than an entry level job and we are letting them slip away to people who are willing to do them for less money than our kids want. Maybe the fool on the hill(Bush, in case you don't understand inuendo) was right when he says that the "hard workin' folk" ie illegals "are just lookin' for jobs Americans won't do to feed their families." which are growing at a rate three times faster than their legal counterparts.I sometimes wonder what it must be like to be loved by those from both sides od the aisle. The Republicans love them because they are a source of cheap labor. That is until they leave the job that an American wouldn't do to take a middle class job that an American would beg for. The Democrats love them because the are a people who needs rescueing. BULL SCHITE!!!!!

Posted by: Douglas Hakes on 06/04/07 at 10:01 PM  Respond

Post a comment





 

RECENT COMMENTS

Intelligence Briefing on the Hill Today (19)
oyun wrote: Teşekkürler ..... [more]

Some Surprising New Findings on GIs, PTSD, and Crime (1)
smitisan wrote: When I was in basic back in 71, we had a lot of guys claim... [more]

High Gas Prices Save Lives (5)
CitizenWhale wrote: No one drives at 55mph, and it is a known fact that there ... [more]

Preteens on the Pill? (11)
Scott james wrote: My Sister Samantha turns 10 years old next week and She wi... [more]

Interesting Fact About Wisconsin Election Results (3)
antra jolly wrote: This article includes all the details related to the Wisco... [more]

About That "Dems Must Win West Virginia" Argument... (5)
Nelson wrote: This is miraculous news that people forget that Bill Clint... [more]

Why Talula Does the Hula No More (1)
rob wrote: you forgot to mention children called midnight chardonnay,... [more]

Obama in Berlin: Another Great Communicator? (9)
Jeff Hardy wrote: It is about time we had few one like this representation A... [more]

No Good Veep Choices for McCain? (5)
dorkey wrote: The vice presidential buzz is mounting, and many think a p... [more]

Iraq Contract Fraud: Senators Call For Arrests, Recovery of Funds (14)
Oyun wrote: Stuff like this has been going on and on for years and yea... [more]

XML RSS Feed

Powered by
Movable Type 3.33

Jail.org - Inmate Search
Criminal records, instant public records & people search & current court records. www.jail.org

U.S. Public Records Search
Search County & State Court Records, Criminal records, Vital and Adoption Records www.PublicRecordsInfo.com

Records.com - People Search
Public Records and Background Checks. Instantly Search Criminal Records, Addresses and Court Records www.Records.com

Court Records & County Records
Find Instant Public Records, Criminal Records as Well as County Property Records Search. www.PublicRecordsIndex.com

Real Viagra, Cialis Levitra Deal
Dare to compare our competitive prices. Free overnight delivery to new patients in the US. No catch 22!

Bob's Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal
In addition to its great nutty flavor, our flaxseed meal is high in fiber and packed with essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

PEACEFUL HOLIDAY GIFTS
Items featuring the 1958 peace symbol shirts, buttons, hoodys, signs, stickers, pins...more.
union made • detroit peacebuttons.info

End the genocide in Darfur
Every day, Darfuris face rape, murder, and starvation. Be a Voice for Darfur: tell Obama to end the suffering.


















Chart of the Day - 11.22.2008

Citigroup's Collapse

Battery Woes 2....The Empire Strikes Back

Obama's Cabinet


More MoJo voices...



bookIN PRINT

CLICK HERE
for more great reading

headphones IN TUNE
New music every issue

CLICK TO LISTEN

Advertise Liberally

This article has been made possible by the Foundation for National Progress, the Investigative Fund of Mother Jones, and gifts from generous readers like you.

© 2008 The Foundation for National Progress

About Us   Support Us   Advertise   Ad Policy   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Subscribe   RSS