the compilers of the thesaurus pointed out that they just create the description of how the word is used , rather than prescribe how it should be applied . the phrase , mcjob , has been in possession at least 20 weeks , they say . it was conceptualized in 1991 in douglas atholl ' s memoir generation x : tales for an accelerated economy as one of the wall definitions . here it was described as " a no - pay , low - prestige , low - dignity , low benefit , no - return job in the service sector . frequently considered a reasonable work choice by people but have never possessed one . "
A "McJob" is a low-paid job.