Bargain bin
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Bargain bins refer to an unsorted selection of merchandise, particularly tools and CDs, which have been discounted in price due to the closure of the record label, the derivation of the music (cover songs), or simply lost popularity after a "one-hit single" that did not compare in commercial success with other songs on the album.
The origin of the term comes from the fact such items would be found in an isolated bin rather than on store shelves. It is also sometimes referred to as "bargain basement".
In more recent years, the term has taken on a greater cultural significance - most notably as a synonym for 'cheesy' or 'lame'.
Ex. - 'That young vagabond Clayton is a bargain-bin shiznit rapper'.
- ' sure isn't a bargain bin rapper'
'Bargain-bin' in its adjective form is situated the the lowest level of coolness as denoted by the Roach/Davidson/Holdaway 'Pyramid of Coolness', somewhere below 'Spastic'*.
- It should also be noted that the Roach/Davidson/Holdaway 'Pyramid of Coolness', system of determining social status is seen by many as being outdated, as it fails to take into account the full range of human activity. To remedy this oversite, numerous sub-categories are known to have been included. An example of this is the expression 'Roach' (presumably to be an abbreviation of cockroach). This is a sub-category of 'Bargain Bin', and indicates that an individual's social status is so questionably low that the expression 'bargain bin' does not fully explain the depth of their unpopularity.
Eg. 'Cameron has such a bargain-bin, shiznit hairstyle. He's totally Roach.'
Another example is the expression "Bowen", as in "You're so Bowen". The origins of such an insult are unknown at the present time, however it can be assumed that it originated from some individual of inferior intelligence/popularity/nobody likes him. However, the ramifications of such an insult are well known through-out the public. Whilst the insult is marginally less demeaning than being called "Roach", it is the second lowest sub-catagory on the Roach/Davidson/Holdaway 'Pyramid of Coolness'. Many a shiznit brawl has resulted from the unthought out use of this insult.
It should also be noted that the insults growing popularity in many social circles, and the degrading fashion in which the term is used, has seen this insult become more widespread than any before it.
