McDonald's throws a tantrum - wants dictionaries to remove "McJob".

[Martin]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,472971,00.html

"Dictionaries are supposed to be paragons of accuracy. And it this case, they got it completely wrong," Walt Riker, a Mickey D's McSpokesman complained to the Associated Press. "It's a complete disservice and incredibly demeaning to a terrific work force and a company that's been a jobs and opportunity machine for 50 years."

The company says it will kick off its campaign in May in an attempt to change the "out-of-date" definition, as McDonald's spokeswoman Amanda Pierce called the McJob entry. But the hamburger giant may have to break out some special sauce for the effort. In 2003, the Merriam-Webster dictionary -- which defines McJob as "a low-paying job that required little skill and provides little opportunity of advancement" -- elected not to remove the word, despite McPressure.

This is really quite funny - I wasn't aware that the definition is "out-of-date" and that a jobs at McDonalds now pay high wages, require skill and offer plenty of advancement.

 

[DougK62]

It's funny, but I can see why McD's is pissed.

 

[FoBoT]

that is McAwesome

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Martin
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,472971,00.html

"Dictionaries are supposed to be paragons of accuracy. And it this case, they got it completely wrong," Walt Riker, a Mickey D's McSpokesman complained to the Associated Press. "It's a complete disservice and incredibly demeaning to a terrific work force and a company that's been a jobs and opportunity machine for 50 years."

The company says it will kick off its campaign in May in an attempt to change the "out-of-date" definition, as McDonald's spokeswoman Amanda Pierce called the McJob entry. But the hamburger giant may have to break out some special sauce for the effort. In 2003, the Merriam-Webster dictionary -- which defines McJob as "a low-paying job that required little skill and provides little opportunity of advancement" -- elected not to remove the word, despite McPressure.

This is really quite funny - I wasn't aware that the definition is "out-of-date" and that a jobs at McDonalds now pay high wages, require skill and offer plenty of advancement.

More political correctness crap and the coniuation of the "pussification of america" as everyone likes to call it.

 

[iamaelephant]

Hehe McDonalds is an Opportunity Machine. McLOL.

 

[sdifox]

But it says McJob, not McDonaldJob. What is their basis for complaint?

 

[Zee]

That is mcfunny as hell

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I do agree that 'McJob' is better suited for The Urban Dictionary than M-W - what is Merriam-Webster thinking? I totally understand McDonald's resentment.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: sdifox
But it says McJob, not McDonaldJob. What is their basis for complaint?

OH! Clearly it's not a reference to McDonald's. How silly of them to think that.

I'd be annoyed too if my name was tied to every crappy job when really McDonald's is only responsible for a small portion of the crappy jobs in this country. I guess Wal-Job doesn't have a nice ring to it.

Would an iJob be a job that pays more than it's worth?

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
I do agree that 'McJob' is better suited for The Urban Dictionary than M-W - what is Merriam-Webster thinking? I totally understand McDonald's resentment.

You have a point.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
I do agree that 'McJob' is better suited for The Urban Dictionary than M-W - what is Merriam-Webster thinking? I totally understand McDonald's resentment.

I believe their policy is to track language as it is used, not to try to impose it from above.

I have serious issues with this policy (namely that retarded mid-level executives keep changing words to mean what they sort-of sound like they might mean), but they're being consistent.

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: sdifox
But it says McJob, not McDonaldJob. What is their basis for complaint?

It's pretty McObvious what it's McReferring to, isn't it?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
I do agree that 'McJob' is better suited for The Urban Dictionary than M-W - what is Merriam-Webster thinking? I totally understand McDonald's resentment.

Maybe they're trying to make the dictionary seem more "hip." Next year's edition will contain additions such as "dirty sanchez," "donkey punch" and "screeched."

 

[Rastus]

McDonald's is a viable career path.

My ex-brother-in-law has managed a small taco stand for the last 20 years (his only job since he was 16). He makes twice the money I do.

If you are willing to relocate within the McDonald's organization several times to go to more lucrative places, you can easily make good money as an employee. You also will eventually qualify to own your own franchise. Again, it's got to be a good location to really thrive.

 

[RaistlinZ]

"a low-paying job that required little skill and provides little opportunity of advancement"

Seems to me that definition is still accurate. If McDonalds doesn't like it maybe they should increase their McWages and only hire college grads.

 

[Kelemvor]

I've never heard that word used before. Definitely don't think it should be in the dictionary.

 

[iamaelephant]

This reminds me of when the Google lawyers sent letters to a large number of magazines demanding that they stop using the word Google has a verb, eg "Try Googling snakes on a plane". They say it was cheapening the brand.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
"a low-paying job that required little skill and provides little opportunity of advancement"

Seems to me that definition is still accurate. If McDonalds doesn't like it maybe they should increase their McWages and only hire college grads.

The benefit I got when I worked at McDonald's was a McHandjob.


Ausm

 

[paulxcook]

Until I heard the hubbub about this I'd never heard or used the phrase "McJob".

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
I do agree that 'McJob' is better suited for The Urban Dictionary than M-W - what is Merriam-Webster thinking? I totally understand McDonald's resentment.

Maybe they're trying to make the dictionary seem more "hip." Next year's edition will contain additions such as "dirty sanchez," "donkey punch" and "screeched."

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Didn't the USPS have a fit a while back about another defintion of "Postal" that was added to MW?

 

[thirtythree]

Meh, I don't really think it should be in the dictionary either.

 

[purbeast0]

this thread is the first time i've ever heard the word McJob used.

 

[Bryophyte]

McHilarious

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: Ausm

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
"a low-paying job that required little skill and provides little opportunity of advancement"

Seems to me that definition is still accurate. If McDonalds doesn't like it maybe they should increase their McWages and only hire college grads.

The benefit I got when I worked at McDonald's was a McHandjob.


Ausm

O RLY?
I never got one of those when I worked there.

Market dictates how much a job is worth. Not so much McDonalds.