staycation

Origin:
stay + vacation = staycation

Definition:
n. a period of time off from work that is spent at or near home, instead of spent traveling.

Exemplum:
Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Jo Six-Pack couldn't afford Labor Day in the Hamptons, so they took a staycation to their local casino instead.

Commentary:
The liberal media has made a big deal of its silly staycation idea. I thought everyman had seen through such thinly veiled anti-American nonsense and everyday folks were back to living off their trust fund interest. But I heard a mention of it again on the news, so apparently not. I watch Fox News everyday and yet I'm still out of touch. Oh, exasperation, you are the ficklest of goddesses!

If one must discuss the lamentable spare time of the hoi polloi, I vehemently prefer "holistay" to "staycation." At least the former hints at the timeless class of a formidable Briticism. Even in these difficult economic times, let's be civilized about things.

Today's term falls still within our current wave of oxymoronic portmanteaux. We all know that vacation means a relaxing whiskaway to St. Bart's, The Hamptons, Aspen or, if you're really strapped for class, Hilton Head. So the notion of staying home for your vacation is certain to itch at the old cranial follicles.

But such are the times, and thus today's term was brought to light. Because if Nate Winter isn't a man of the people, and Portmanteau of the Day isn't a service to the people, then it's all headed straight to Hades anyway.

Credit:
Anonymous (staycation), The Daily Show (holistay), Nate Winter (the rest)