the architectures of the predates note out that they purely record the description of how the word is used , rather than prescribe whether it should be said . the terminology , mcjob , has been in usage at least 20 years , they say . it was popularised in 1991 in eric coupland ' s novel generator x : stories for an accelerated culture as member of the margin definitions . here it was described as " a zero - pays , low - wage , low - honour , low benefit , no - future job in the service economy . frequently considered a satisfying work choice by someone who have never holding this . "
A "McJob" is a low-paid job.