Word Spy - gray matter

n. Older, experienced executives hired by start-up firms in an effort to make the firms appear more established.

Example Citation:

"Remember it was computer people who coined the term 'gray matter' — older employees who are hired specifically because of their years, in order to add credibility to the enterprise."
—Mark Nelson and Dale Dauten, "The Shots You Don't Take," The New York Post, October 4, 1998

Notes:

These individuals are also known as gray hairs or no hairs:

"But in 2001, an 'old school' emphasis on improving the efficiency of operations and locating customers with deep pockets is back in vogue, and a tech company's investors breathe a sigh of relief when a 'gray hair' (or a 'no hair') CEO is in charge."
—Scott Kirsner, "Downturn dictionary," The Boston Globe, November 12, 2001

Categories:

Business (General)
Aging and Death

Posted on February 24, 1997
Updated on December 17, 2001