zirpie

Individuals who thrived during the Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP) era (approximately 2008–2022), taking advantage of relaxed economic conditions and corporate environments. Zirpies often embraced a nomadic, carefree lifestyle, pursuing hobbies, side projects, or vanity work while holding positions at companies with minimal accountability and abundant resources.

The term emerged post-2022 as the global economy began recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the end of the ZIRP era that started during the 2008 financial crisis. This period was characterized by easy access to capital, loose corporate structures, and a focus on lifestyle rather than productivity, enabling a generation of workers to prioritize personal interests over professional contributions.

During the ZIRP era from 2008 to 2022, many zirpies joined large tech companies where they could coast through work, enjoying perks like unlimited vacation and remote work, while focusing more on their side business ventures or travel plans.

After a few years of working part-time at a startup with no real goals, the zirpies in the team were caught off-guard when the company started scaling up and demanded higher productivity, signaling the end of their laid-back lifestyle and the threat of layoffs.

telephone tough-guy

A person who talks big shit on the telephone but IRL is a huge pussy.

Unknown: "You're a bitch, you couldn't whip shit."
Jim: "What are you, some sort of telephone tough-guy?? Give me your address and I'll come kick your ass"
Unknown: *click*

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tapback referee

Person in a group chat who passive aggressively steers the conversation using reactions such as "Ha Ha" or "Thumbs Down"

Sam is such a tapback referee. He always "ha ha(s)" any cheap shots in the group chat to keep things ridiculous.

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