Economic parlance

Multiple realities

(covers information from several alternate timelines)

Economic parlance refers to the parlance (i.e. terminology or idioms) originating in the field of economics.

Accounting

"Bottom line"

The bottom line was a company's net income or the "bottom" figure on a company's income statement.

In 2364, William Riker asked Geordi La Forge what the bottom line was regarding the threat the Ferengi force field posed to the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "The Last Outpost")

Banking

"Take it to the bank"

To be able to take something to the bank meant that something was as certain as an asset one could use for collateral.

In 2375, in exchange for Nog arranging it so that Vic Fontaine's lounge holoprogram ran 26 hours a day, all Nog asked for in return was that Vic save him a seat up front for his shows. Fontaine agreed, saying "It's a deal. And you can take that to the bank." (DS9: "It's Only a Paper Moon")

Currency

"Blood money"

Blood money was money earned at the expense of someone's life.

In 2153, Jonathan Archer described Skalaar's payment for turning him over to Goroth, whether 6 or 9,000 darseks, as blood money and said he hoped the Tellarite enjoyed it. (ENT: "Bounty")

"Feel like a million bucks"

To feel like a million bucks meant to feel really good.

In 2374, while advising Odo on how he could win Kira Nerys's heart, Vic Fontaine suggested he exchange his Bajoran Militia uniform for something a little classier, assuring him, "there's nothing like a tuxedo to make you feel like a million bucks." (DS9: "His Way")

"Give real money"

To be willing to give real money for something was to be eager for something to happen, to the point of wanting to pay for it.

In 2293, Leonard McCoy, annoyed by General Chang's incessant talking, quipped, " I'd give real money if he'd shut up." (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

"It's your dime"

Expressed disapproval of what one wished, but did it anyway, as one was paying for it.

In 2374, Vic Fontaine felt that singing All the Way, Jadzia Dax's favorite song, for a grieving Worf wasn't a good idea, as Worf had destroyed Vic's lounge in anger after hearing the song previously. Nevertheless, Fontaine agreed, noting that it was the Klingon's dime. (DS9: "Image in the Sand")

"Lining one's pockets (with latinum)"

To line one's pockets with money was to be the one paying somebody a lot for something.

In 2371, Quark expressed his desire to remain with Ornithar, confident that the Karemma wouldn't turn him over to the Dominion despite his loyalties, seeing as the Ferengi was the one lining Ornithar's pockets. (DS9: "The Search, Part I")

According to the Regent of Palamar, arms dealers had no scruples or passions beyond lining their own pockets, unlike Gaila or Quark, whom he regarded as honorable when doing business with them in 2373. (DS9: "Business as Usual")

In 2375, Quark petitioned the Blessed Exchequer to "Continue to bless my bar with a steady stream of thirsty customers whose pockets are lined with latinum". among other boons. (DS9: "The Emperor's New Cloak")

"Making money hand over fist"

To be "making money hand over fist" was to be accruing large profits quickly.

In 2375, Nog described the financial status of Vic's lounge, saying it was making money hand over fist. (DS9: "It's Only a Paper Moon")

"Money isn't everything"

Said as a recognition that there are things more important in life than one's finances, particularly when given a choice between earning/keeping money and doing the right thing.

In 2371, when Quark noted that business was in decline now that he and Grilka were no longer together, Rom remarked that money wasn't everything, to which Quark replied, "If father were alive, he'd wash your mouth out with galcor." (DS9: "The House of Quark"

"Newly minted"

To be newly minted was to have become something recently, like a coin newly created by a mint.

In 2374, Gul Dukat recalled "Once, when I was a newly minted glinn on the Kornaire, I had to help clean up a compartment where three men had gone through an explosive decompression. I didn't sleep for a week after that." (DS9: "Waltz")

"On the cuff"

A term used to describe running up a tab.

In 2365, regarding his outstanding tab at Rex's Bar, Rex noted to Dixon Hill, "I don't mind you being on the cuff, but you're up the sleeve halfway to my collar." (i.e. owing a significant amount) (TNG: "Manhunt")

"Penny for your thoughts"

To offer a penny for your thoughts was to express one's interest in what another was thinking.

In 2368, Beverly Crusher offered a penny for Jean-Luc Picard's thoughts on the empathic metamorph Kamala. Picard asked if she had a penny, to which Crusher replied, "I'm sure the replicator will have one on file." (TNG: "The Perfect Mate")

In 2370, following the severing of their mind link, Crusher offered Picard a penny for his thoughts, to which he replied that although it had been distracting, he had begun to get used to sharing thoughts with her and missed it. (TNG: "Attached")

In 2383, Zero used the expression "penny for your thoughts" when asking Gwyndala about her despondent mood after being betrayed by her father, The Diviner. The Medusan claimed it was an expression Hologram Janeway taught them. (PRO: "Kobayashi")

"The things I do for money"

Said of a task one performs for remuneration that is detestable, embarrassing, unseemly, or unethical.

In 2371, after Tiron hired Quark to create a likeness of Kira Nerys for a special holoprogram, the Ferengi muttered, "The things I do for money". (DS9: "Meridian")

Gambling

"Bargaining chip"

A bargaining chip was anything one could use as an offer when negotiating a deal.

"Bet you credits to navy beans"

To bet (someone) credits to navy beans meant to put up something of high value against an equal number of relatively worthless items. Metaphorically, it indicated one's strong belief that the statement which followed was true.

A Federation variation on "dollars to doughnuts", this referred to wagering something of value against something relatively worthless – in other words, "I'll bet you anything…"

In 2267, DeSalle was willing to bet credits to navy beans that using USS Enterprise's impulse engines to crash the starship into a force field surrounding them could at least manage to put a dent in it, if not break through it. (TOS: "Catspaw")

"Even money"

For something to be even money was for either outcome to be as likely as the other, thereby winning a gambler as much as they bet.

In 2366, Geordi La Forge claimed that the risk factor for a positive or negative outcome in a risky maneuver he planned were even money. (TNG: "Booby Trap")

"Give someone a run for their money"

To give someone a run for their money was to be good competition for someone.

In 2371, one-time Starfleet Medical Academy valedictorian Dr. Elizabeth Lense noted that runner-up Julian Bashir had given her quite a run for her money in their final exams. (DS9: "Explorers")

"In for a penny, in for a pound"

To be in for a penny, in for a pound was to continue to participate in an endeavor whether the stakes were high or low.

In 2365, Jean-Luc Picard summed up Data's suggestion that he could personally deliver a message to the Dremans, rather than transmitting it remotely, as the crew of the USS Enterprise-D being "in for a penny, in for a pound". (TNG: "Pen Pals")

In 2373, Kathryn Janeway used the expression when the Nezu ambassador asked for USS Voyager's help, but was reluctant for the starship's crew to put their lives at risk. When asked what it meant, Janeway replied, "It's a Human expression, Ambassador, and it means we're not leaving you now." (VOY: "Rise")

"In spades"

Something in spades was to a high degree or in a large amount.

Michael Burnham asserted that mirror universe Philippa Georgiou wished to be paid back in spades. (DIS: "Saints of Imperfection")

When Sam Rutherford wished to speak with Andy Billups for a second, Billups replied that he had time for Rutherford in spades. (LD: "Envoys")

"Lose one's shirt"

To lose one's shirt meant to lose everything one had to wager while gambling.

A simulated woman in the Hotel Royale once stated that she was losing her shirt in a game of dice. (TNG: "The Royale")

Quark once stated that he was losing his shirt in the manhunt pool during a conversation with Odo. (DS9: "Crossfire")

"Money says"

To have money say something was to bet money that something was true or false. Metaphorically, it meant that someone was very sure of something.

In 2375, when it was uncertain whether Worf had made it to the IKS Koraga's escape pod or not, Quark said, "My money says he did." (DS9: "Penumbra")

"Penny-ante operator"

A penny-ante operator was an individual or organization whose power was limited.

In 2268, James T. Kirk referred to Bela Okmyx as a penny-ante operator compared to the Federation. (TOS: "A Piece of the Action")

"Play your cards a little closer to your vest"

To play your cards a little closer to your vest was to hide one's cards from being read by other players. Metaphorically, it meant to keep one's emotions and strategies a secret.

In 2375, Luther Sloan suggested Julian Bashir play his cards a little closer to his vest by not giving away his emotions so readily through facial expressions, namely his surprise at seeing Sloan. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")

"Play your cards right"

To play one's cards right was to make the best use of the cards one had to achieve a desired outcome. Metaphorically, it meant any actions which would create a certain result.

In 1986, Kirk suggested that if he and Spock played their cards right, they might be able to find out from Dr. Gillian Taylor when George and Gracie were leaving the Cetacean Institute. Spock, ever the literalist, questioned how playing cards would accomplish that. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

"Put your latinum where your mouth is"

To put your latinum where your mouth is was a variation on the phrase "put your money where your mouth is". It was used as encouragement for somebody to act on a belief they claimed to have by risking something on its being true.

In 2375, after hearing The Doctor assert that Seven of Nine would bring Kadi ambassador Tomin to a reception Neelix was hosting in the ambassador's honor, charming him completely, Tom Paris told the doctor to put his latinum where his mouth was. If she did as The Doctor said she would, without diplomatic incident, he'd work double shifts in sickbay for the next month. If not, he'd get a month's reprieve. (VOY: "Someone to Watch Over Me")

"Show all one's cards"

To show all one's cards was to expose one's card playing strategy. Metaphorically, it meant to give away one's secrets.

In 2374, Julian Bashir handily lost a tongo game to Quark following the Ferengi's musings about lost opportunities for romance with Jadzia Dax. When Bashir asked Quark if he had meant what he said about Dax being his one chance for romantic bliss, Quark quipped, "Doctor, you don't expect me to show you all my cards, do you?" (DS9: "Change of Heart")

"Strong suit"

One's strong suit was something one was particularly good at.

Malcolm Reed admitted that improvisation wasn't his strong suit after Jonathan Archer complimented him on his quick thinking alibi about genetic enhancements. (ENT: "The Communicator")

According to Kyle Riker, keeping in touch (with Will) was not his strong suit. (TNG: "The Icarus Factor")

In 2367, Geordi La Forge rebuffed Leah Brahms' suggestion that he write a paper on his mid-range phase adjuster, saying writing was not one of his strong suits. (TNG: "Galaxy's Child")

Worf believed bluffing was not one of Deanna Troi's strong suits. (TNG: "Ethics")

In, Benjamin Sisko asked Bashir to explain a chemical formula to him, as chemistry was never his strong suit. (DS9: "Statistical Probabilities")

"Swallow someone's wallet without losing one's smile"

To swallow someone's wallet without losing one's smile meant to win all of another person's money easily.

In 2371, Gaunt Gary warned Harry Kim that Tom Paris could swallow the ensign's wallet without losing his smile. (VOY: "The Cloud")

"Taking you to the poorhouse"

To take someone to the poorhouse was to deplete their finances.

In 2369, Odo, noticing that all the dabo players at Quark's were winning all of a sudden, informed Quark, saying they were taking him to the poorhouse. (DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses")

"Throwing your money away"

To throw your money away meant to wager it on something that was certain not to happen.

In 2365, Texas claimed that if Data bet on a five card Charlie, he'd be throwing his money away. (TNG: "The Royale")

In 2371, a dying Bashir asked an illusory Quark if he could wager that he would live, not die, to which the Ferengi replied, "It's a long shot, but if you want to throw your money away, who am I to stop you?". (DS9: "Distant Voices")

"Up the ante"

To up the ante meant to raise the stakes in a game. Metaphorically, it meant to increase the level of destruction or peril.

In 2373, Kira Nerys claimed Michael Eddington had upped the ante in the ongoing Maquis conflict by attacking the Cardassian colony on Veloz Prime with stratospheric torpedoes containing cobalt diselenide, a nerve agent that was fatal to Cardassians. (DS9: "For the Uniform")

"Wild card"

A wild card was a card that could be used in place of any other card one required to make a hand in poker.

In 2368, Worf declared "Federation Day" to be a woman's game, as the twos, sixes and aces were wild, which he felt propped up a weak hand. According to him, "a man's game has no wild cards." Later, he noted that with all the wild cards, he wasn't sure what he had. (TNG: "The Outcast") (TNG: "The Emissary") (TNG: "The Quality of Life") (VOY: "Pathfinder")

Rupert Crandall's starship Inside Straight is named after a poker hand.

See also

• Latinum stairway