Recession index

The recession index (the R-word index) is a informal index created by The Economist who counts how many stories in the Washington Post and the New York Times using the word “recession” in a quarter.

This simple formula pinpointed the start of recession in 1981, 1990, and 2001, but was misleading in the early 1990s, when the index indicated a recession for a year after it had officially ended in March 1991.

Sources

• "The recession index — Words that can harm you — Nov 21st 2002". The Economist. 2002-11-21. Retrieved 2008-02-27. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

• "R-word index — Warning lights". The Economist, WASHINGTON, DC. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-02-27. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)