McDonald's upset over new dictionary word

Paul Chalk · 11-11-2003, 04:30 PM

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/....ap/index.html

All I have to say is, way to go Merriam-Webster.

Grant B · 11-11-2003, 07:33 PM

Hmmmm do I smell a Egg McMuffin?
Ooops, that's a lawsuit I smell. How could I confuse the two???

Before the lawsuit....
McJob (mek jäb') n. a low-paying job that requires little skill and provides little opportunity for advancement

After the lawsuit....
McJob (mek jäb') n. a good paying job that requires little English skills (would you like to supersize that?) and provides opportunity for advancement to Lord of the Grease.

Scott L · 11-11-2003, 07:43 PM

I feel sorry when I see the people sweating over making our food in the back of the McDonalds. They get a sh*tty view and get paid jack squat. I wish they'd get machines to replace them already (preferrably a T-X).

Grant B · 11-11-2003, 07:59 PM

Some need those jobs to survive, I wouldn't wish for them to go away. So many decent jobs have disappeared, people need something.
I treat them as equals with respect instead of feeling sorry for them; But if the screw up my order........

Carl Johnson · 11-11-2003, 08:29 PM

I don't care what Merriam-Webster says Mcjob is not a word. It's not even slang that I've ever heard of. I wonder what inspired them to disrespect McDonalds employees like that? Maybe M-W couldn't come up with any impressive new words this year so they threw that one into the mix to justify releasing a revised version.

**HTF Ads**

Edwin-S · 11-11-2003, 08:49 PM

Lets see 1000 people out of the 400000 employed by McDonalds have succeeded in getting their own franchises.

1000/400000 * 100 = 0.25%

Sure is nice to see that McDonalds has been so successful helping the counter staff realize the American Dream. Keep up the good work.

John_Berger · 11-11-2003, 09:26 PM

As someone who used to work for McD's during college, I just want to put some perspective on this. I'm sure that I am in the minority, but as far as I'm concerned that definition is not representative of every McD's employee.

I used to work on the evening shift for over two years while I was in 1st and 2nd year, and they were some of the best times. I really did meet a lot of good people there, some of whom I still keep in touch with almost 15 years later. Every night that we closed the entire shift went to a local diner to just BS the morning away and for some early morning breakfast or go out to some places that were still open. Granted that bowling alleys aren't exactly the equivalent of a stork club, but we had a blast nonetheless regardless of where we went.

Yes, it was low wage. But it made more than any other job since closers got a bit more and it was better than living off of the parents. Did I expect to make it a career? Hell, no. Anyone who does has no real aspirations for themselves as far as I'm concerned. But if you can get into a good store with a good manager, it's a good place for teens and college students to work.

Almost all of the adults with whom I worked, particularly on the rare morning shifts, were there for no reason than to make some extra money instead of sit around the house. And again these were good people who still recognize me and ask me how I'm doing when I go back on occasion - some 15 years later.

So, don't feel sorry for the people who work there. Not all of them deserve (or want) any pity.

Personally, I don't blame McDonald's one bit for being upset with M-W. I have never heard that term before and agree that it was made up most likely to just get attention.

Carl Miller · 11-11-2003, 10:09 PM

Quote:

I used to work on the evening shift for over two years while I was in 1st and 2nd year, and they were some of the best times. I really did meet a lot of good people there, some of whom I still keep in touch with almost 15 years later.

I worked at McDonalds all through high school and met many good, hardworking decent people. One went on to manage, and later own his own McDonalds. Another, one of my best friends, passed on college and instead managed a McDonalds for 6 years. He now owns his own consulting business which services lagging fast food restaurants, and restores them to peak efficiency and earnings. He's a millionaire, and credits his McDonalds career for all of it.

MW should be ashamed for doing this. All work is good work, and MW should stick to puffing up its dictionary with useful words instead of degrading people and the work they do.

Scott L · 11-11-2003, 11:15 PM

Well good to hear from people behind the counter! I always assumed by all the long faces I saw, McyD's workers hated their job.