Interview on NPR’s “Morning Edition” about the history of the expression “fiscal cliff” (Nov. 20, 2012).
The fiscal cliff has economists and politicians in a tailspin. The term is used to describe what will happen if Congress fails to come to an agreement on budget cuts or tax increases by the end of the year. Some say the term is inaccurate, and somewhat alarmist. Linda Wertheimer talks to linguist and Boston Globe language columnist Ben Zimmer about the origin of the term fiscal cliff.
(Show page, audio, related Word Routes column)