JACK OF ALL TRADES. A person with many different skills but who is not an expert in one particular area.
JANUARY EFFECT. The typical increase in the stock market, particularly smaller stocks, in January due to an increase in tax-deferred investment funds at the beginning of the year.
“There is a ‘January effect’ afoot in the stock market, but it isn’t the one people expected.” (Wall Street Journal, < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">
JAWBONE (TO). Talk someone into doing what you want; persuade with pressure.
“Worried that overheating could strain resources and lead to wasteful investment, painful inflation or burst bubbles,
J CURVE. Graphic representation of the impact of currency devaluation on a country’s balance of trade. Currency devaluation results in immediate relative price changes, but the quantity of exports and imports respond more slowly. Initially after devaluation the quantity of exports and imports do not change, but imports become more expensive and exports cheaper, thus, a country’s balance of payments will worsen. Over time the change in relative prices will cause exports to increase and imports to decline, improving the country’s balance of payments.
JERK AROUND (TO). To manipulate someone with false promises or lies.
JERRY-RIGGED. Temporarily fixed, not a permanent solution. From the pejorative for German used in World War I.
”A large cause of this jerry-rigged democracy is the bipartisan gerrymandering that carves out ‘safe’ districts.” (Wall Street Journal
JET LAG. Tired feeling after an airplane trip that includes changes in time zones.
JILLION. A very large number. See also ZILLION.
JINGLE. Telephone call; lyrics or melody in a commercial.
“In the twilight of his career, Mr. [Keith Reinhard], 69 years old, has formed Business for Diplomatic Action, a nonprofit organization that is trying to combat anti-Americanism abroad. The enormous task will take more than his famous ‘two all-beef patties’ jingle to achieve, now that photos of abused Iraqi prisoners have circulated and anti-
JOB HOP (TO). Change employment frequently.
JOB LOCK. Situation of employees who want to leave their current positions but feel they cannot because they would lose their health benefits. In the
JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT (JTPA). Federal government worker training regulations providing incentives for employer education programs.
JOCKEY FOR POSITION (TO). Promote and sell oneself or one’s products in order to compete (horse racing).
“The new PRI is split into ideological and personal factions whose differences will become more pronounced as the party's multitude of presidential contenders -- many of them governors who command the allegiances of congressional deputies -- jockey for position in the coming presidential race." (Wall Street Journal,
JOG (TO). Recall after concentration or suggestion, as in to jog one’s memory.
JOHN HANCOCK. Signature. John Hancock, as president of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence; he did so with such flourish that in the
JOHNNY COME LATELY. A newcomer. A company late in entering a market.
JOURNAL (THE). Nickname for the Wall Street Journal.
JUICE. Connections, power.
JUMP AT IT (TO). Eagerly take advantage of an opportunity.
JUMP BALL. Undecided situation (basketball).
“It helped that Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns both Geico and the Buffalo News, was a
JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON (TO). Join what is popular.
"He adds that his organization's numbers suggest that the growth in the percentage of companies offering entry into a 401(k) plan within the first three months of employment plateaued this year at about 50%, after growing for several years since the rule changes in the late 1990s. Schwab's Mr. [Ben Brigeman], however, expects still more companies to jump on the bandwagon. ‘Human-resources staff have been tied up with other things, like laying people off,’ he says. ‘But this year, we've seen a pickup in plans reducing their eligibility requirements.’" (Wall Street Journal,
JUMP SHIP. To abandon a project or company.
“‘To be honest, we are more concerned about having them [PC makers] jump the gun than be late,’ Mr. Silverberg said.” (Wall Street Journal, June 6, 1995, p. B16)
JUMP START (TO). Initiate, to get something going.
“Delta's pilots union signaled that it was preparing new concessions to jump-start wage-cut talks.” (Wall Street Journal,
JUMP THE GUN (TO). Start too soon (track and field).
“Election 2000: Some European Leaders Jump the Gun, Offering Early Congratulations to Bush” (Wall Street Journal,
JUMP THROUGH THE HOOPS (TO). Do all that is required.
“‘They all dream of getting their documents,’ says Mr. Rosales. And helping an immigrant jump through the hoops to achieve legal residence -- for which Mr. Rosales charges, on average, $550 -- can lead to a lasting relationship.” (Wall Street Journal
JUNIOR DEBT. Debt claims that are payable only after payment of senior debt claims.
JUNIOR LEAGUERS/JUNIOR LEAGUE. Affluent nonworking women under forty years old.
“A Heisman winner's career now doesn't seem valid unless it is capped by success in the National Football League. No matter how good he might be, the modern Heisman winner seems to just be a junior-league star.” (Wall Street Journal,
JUNK BOND. A high-risk, less-than-INVESTMENT-GRADE corporate bond. Junk bonds became very popular among investors in the late 1980s.
“Riskier high-yield, or junk bonds, which pay more income in exchange for the increased uncertainty surrounding the companies that issue them, have also been on a tear and look a bit pricey, but Mr. Auwaerter thinks the right issues still can spice up portfolios.” (Wall Street Journal,
JUNKET. A trip, offered to politicians usually with all expenses paid, designed to enlighten or influence them.
JUST-IN-TIME (JIT). Management practice minimizing inventories. Materials arrive just in time to meet production schedules.