This week’s theme
Terms used figuratively

This week’s words
gilded cage
cheeseparing
cold feet
ephemera
golden handcuffs


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Next week’s theme
Words with AI usage examples

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(GOL-den hand-kuhfs)

MEANING:

noun: Lucrative incentives given to an employee under certain conditions to discourage them from leaving.

ETYMOLOGY:

From the idea of preventing someone from leaving by tying them down with attractive financial benefits. Earliest documented use: 1964.

NOTES:

Golden handcuffs can be likened to a gilded cage, a situation that appears desirable but is restrictive. They might be in the form of stock options, bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and other attractive benefits designed to retain employees, typically those in senior positions. Contrarily, lucrative benefits given to an executive on leaving, voluntarily or involuntarily, are known as a golden parachute.

USAGE:

“‘You know I can’t change jobs for a couple of years,’ She reminded him gently. ...
‘Golden handcuffs,’ Pete muttered.
‘Uh, I think I need to be a top exec to qualify as golden.’
‘Base metal?’
She laughed. ‘Closer.’
‘Handcuffs all the same.’
Jeannie Watt; V is for Valentine; Tule; 2021.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: