Dictionaries describe language as it is used, balancing the tensions of “rules” and “reality.” McDonald’s needs to consider that, as it has a conniption over the McJob entry in the new Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
McJob (mek jäb’) n. a low-paying job that requires little skill and provides little opportunity for advancement
McDonalds huffs and puffs that this is an unfair characterization of their employees and job training and opportunities for management and shift supervisor positions and stuff like that.
In an open letter to Merriam-Webster, McDonald’s CEO Jim Cantalupo said the term is “an inaccurate description of restaurant employment” and “a slap in the face to the 12 million men and women” who work in the restaurant industry.
Cantalupo also wrote that “more than 1,000 of the men and women who own and operate McDonald’s restaurants today got their start by serving customers behind the counter.”
That may all very well be true. But the popular opinion and usage of the term seems to indicate otherwise, and that’s what McDonald’s needs to combat, not the dictionary that reports it.
Not satisfied with looking like overly-sensitive jerks, the McDonald’s folks are also waving around the threat of law suits.
Walt Riker, a spokesman for McDonald’s, said the Oak Brook, Illinois-based fast-food giant also is concerned that “McJob” closely resembles McJOBS, the company’s training program for mentally and physically challenged people. “McJOBS is trademarked and we’ve notified them that legally that’s an issue for us as well,” Riker said.
Must – not – make – obvious – joke – here …
(via BoingBoing)