Tim Worstall

4 responses so far ↓

• 1 So Much For Subtlety // Oct 26, 2009 at 11:19 am

  Some of us are behind a firewall that bans such sites. Without wanting to spoil the punchline, can I ask whether my guess of B. is correct?

  Tim adds: Correct!

• 2 dearieme // Oct 26, 2009 at 11:32 am

  I don’t understand E. What is it in English?

• 3 pedant2007 // Oct 26, 2009 at 10:28 pm

  Can someone explain “compensation” as a euphemism — if that is what it is — for “pay”? I know I am antediluvian, but to me “compensation” still means “restitution for harm done”. When and why did it change its meaning?

  Tim adds: Technical phrase. “Wages” are what you get in your pay packet. “Compensation” is total package you get for working. Very important when dealing with US incomes etc. For most get health care as part of their compensation. So wages can pretty much flatline (as they have been doing) but compensation still rises quite strongly (as it has been) because health care insurance costs are rising strongly.

• 4 dearieme // Oct 27, 2009 at 11:02 am

  Sounds more like a euphemism that allows one to avoid the blunt barbarism of “pay” or, perhaps, “pay ‘n’ perks”, while allowing one to bask in an extra syllable or three.

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