Snake oil is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat joint pain. However, the most common usage of the phrase is as a derogatory term for compounds offered as medicines which implies that they are fake, fraudulent, quackish, or ineffective. The expression is also applied metaphorically to any product with exaggerated marketing but questionable or unverifiable quality.In addition, I'll cite another fun book (I think I use "delightful" a bit too much as a descriptor of the books I recommend):
The Golden Age of Quackery"Snake-oil" has become the generic term for an ineffective nostrum, particularly one that cures "whatever ails you"... and in fact is probably good for you whether you're ill or not!
by Stewart H. Holbrook
Long-lost history:
Back in January I posted, Do they have any other ideas???, detailing the then-Republican-contenders' economic proposals. This was back when all were happy to aver that the U.S. economy was robust, healthy and growing.
Their universal prescription to maintain this health and growth?
(You'll never guess!):
Tax cuts!!!
Now that the Republican candidate has acknowledged that maybe the economic picture isn't all that rosy, what's his prescription?
(You'll never guess!):
Tax cuts!!!
Folks, when "tax cuts" is THE solution for the economy in all cases - whether it's in dire straits or robust & healthy - then we all oughta be saying, "Hmmmm".
... and, for what it's worth, the folks that are selling us "tax cuts" oughta be labelled as snake-oil salesmen!!!
Just a thought.
Have a nice day.
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