Chicago, Nov 12: McDonald's Corp. is seeing red over its latest contribution to popular culture: a mention in a best-selling dictionary under the entry McJob.
According to Merriam-Webster Inc, publishers of America's best-selling collegiate dictionary, "McJob," is a phrase that has become popular shorthand for a dead-end, entry-level job.
The dictionary officially defines McJob as "a low paying job that requires little skill and provides little opportunity for advancement."
The term was included in the 11th edition of the publisher's best-selling dictionary which went on sale in July this year, much to the chagrin of the executives who run the world's largest fast-food chain.
In an open letter published in the November 3 edition of a trade journal, McDonald's chief executive officer Jim Cantalupo expressed his anger at the "demeaning," definition, calling it a "slap in the face to the 12 million men and women who work hard every day in America's 900,000 restaurants."
He also took issue with the scholarship which the entry was based on.
"We have reviewed Merriam-Webster's would-be proof that 'McJob' is part of America's vocabulary and frankly, there isn't much there.
"The base for the proof is an Internet search which dug up a scattering of references from assorted academics, pundits, and random news stories over a 15-year-period," wrote Cantalupo.
A spokesman for the Springfield, Massachusetts-based publisher insists the entry is the result of years of careful scholarship, and is based on a wealth of references in major English-language publications dating back 17 years.
"We stand by the accuracy and appropriateness of our definition," said Merriam-Webster spokesman Arthur Bicknell Tuesday. Bureau Report