protirement

English

Etymology

Blend of pro- and retirement; coined by Arthur Godfrey, according to the article Let's Protire, The American Mercury, January 1961.

Noun

protirement (uncountable)

1. (neologism) Early retirement from professional work with the positive idea of pursuing something more fulfilling.
   • 1961. George Jean Nathan, Henry Louis Mencken The American Mercury, p. 92,

     In other words, retirement connotes regression, whereas protirement would mean progression. ... Arthur Godfrey was right! "Retirement" is a dirty word.

   • 1998, John S. Murphy, Frederic M. Hudson The Joy of Old, Geode Press, 1998, (Amazon.Com book review),

     Retire? Thats something you do to a wheel. The authors suggest Protirement instead

Related terms

• protire

See also

• downshifting
• drop out