Financial Crisis Buzzwords

Definition: Troubled Asset Relief Program, the government's term for the Wall Street bailout bill. The term was first coined by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The $700 billion bill passed the Senate Oct. 1, the House Oct. 3, and was signed by President Bush that same day.

Usage: "The point is that TARP is the only plan on the table that has both a reasonable chance of political success and a reasonable chance of economic success." (Washington Post, Oct. 2, 2008)