John Cole crafts another excellent neologism:

McEstimate: Any figure given by the Business and Economics editor of the Atlantic or an equally reliable source (Bill Kristol, Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, an anonymous tea party organizer, your dog, your neighbor’s toddler, your own personal peyote-induced vision that you had while vomiting tequila and bile through your nose onto yourself at sunrise at Burning Man) in which it is just generally acknowledged that the actual number most probably is either higher or lower by a factor of ten.

For example, I might state: “The last time I had my IQ checked, it was 1300, but that is just a McEstimate.”

See also:

Within an order of megantude—close enough to be published.

  1. Gherald says:

    A 2003 post? Seriously? Back then a lot of people believed Iraq was a threat, supported the war, and also didn't think we'd be stupid enough to stay long enough for it to cost more than a few hundred billion. Bush had run on a platform against nation building…

    That so many people were wrong and mislead about Iraq is a tragedy. But to revisit this now and coin a "McEstimate" neologism? Sheesh, what an inane waste of time.

    • Metavirus says:

      jeez, mr gherald, you're so grumpy today. what in jeebus' name are you talking about? what 2003 post? john is making a current point in that mcmegan has been screwing up her numbers lately. chill.

      • Gherald says:

        In the article you link nothing specific is mentioned, it only links to one discussing a 2003 article… a "very special time warp". That's all.

        • Metavirus says:

          oh, are you talking about the "via" link? i'm sure it was just an off-the-cuff example. they've been collecting a lot of mcmegan numbers gaffes lately. i didnt realize that one was from 2003. a lot have been much more recent. :)

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