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Was the term "FU money" coined by Neal Stephenson, or was it in use before he wrote Cryptonomicon?
by noahlt 16y ago
Was the term "FU money" coined by Neal Stephenson, or was it in use before he wrote Cryptonomicon?
- Elite 16y agoI'm pretty sure Nassim Nicholas Taleb wasn't the source, but I first heard the term from him.
- gregwebs 16y agoHis explanation was pretty good, roughly: you can say FU while you are still on the phone with someone instead of after you hang up.
- matwood 16y agoI don't believe so. That term has been used for years prior to 2000 in competitive offshore fishing.
- deleted 16y ago[deleted]
- dctoedt 16y agoI remember reading the term in James Clavell's novel Noble House, published in 1981.
- portman 16y agoI first heard it in Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis, 1989. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140143459 http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140143459
- wglb 16y agoIn Soul of a New Machine, there is talk about the formation of Data General in 1969. The attorney advising the founders suggested that they set aside $1m each as part of any deal for the purpose of FU money. The usage may predate even that.