IDIOMS / SLANG (or specific meanings not in a translator):

“Great” Depression: used for the U.S. Depression of 1929-1940. “Great” in this use means large, not wonderful.

The Great Depression was a period of terrible hardship for millions of people in the United states.

Boom: a period of rapid economic growth.

There was a boom in the high technology sector between 1990 and early 2000.

Bust: a period of economic decline, or collapse.

There was a bust in the high technology sector in 2000-2001.

“Bull” market: refers to a period of rapid growth in the value of financial assets.

There was a bull market in the late 1990s.

“Bear” market: a period of decline in the value of financial assets.

Some stock market investors fear a bear market in the next ten years.

On sale: when the price of items are below their usual price.

· I like to buy my clothes when they are on sale.

“Piggy” bank: a small replica of a pig which is used to save coins. (Does not refer to a commercial bank named “Piggy Bank.”

I have a small piggy-bank where I save quarters for parking meters.

Shortcomings: weaknesses or criticisms.

·Some economists argue that the definition of real gross domestic product has several shortcomings when it is used as a measure of society’s economic and social welfare.

Do you have other words which sometimes confuse you? 

 If so, email me: dorr@ccsf.edu