snapback

This word did exist before Scott Morrison made it his own.  It refers to the quality of elasticity that something has,  which means that, although stretched to its full, it can immediately snap back to its relaxed state when released.  There is a computer sense that is relevant as well.  A snapback is  ‘a software tool that allows for immediate return to a selected location.’ 

 The snapback that Morrison envisages is for the Australian economy. It has been held to breaking point by the various restrictions imposed to deal with the coronavirus, but once these are removed, we will all be as we were before, the economy will regain its strength and bound along with increased vigour.

 Unfortunately there is a growing belief that we have much pain to endure before we arrive at anything like normality, and that we will not return to where we were.  There is much discussion of the new COVID normal, with an awareness that we don’t necessarily want to return to where we were.  Much has happened that has opened our eyes to possible change.  A snapback seems increasingly unlikely. The economy may instead respond like a pair of undies that have been through the wash just once too often.