retail therapy (REE-tayl THER-uh-pee) noun

   Shopping as a means of comfort, relaxation, or cheering up.

   "Purchase a bauble and count the Rollses parked with motors running
   while the drivers wait for Madame and the packages from her afternoon
   blitz of retail therapy."
   Laura Kelly, Florida; A Palm Beach Survival Guide, The Washington Post,
   Nov 8, 1987.

This week's theme: new words in the OED.

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You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one
phrase: make use of suffering. -Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and
writer (1821-1881)

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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/retail_therapy.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/retail_therapy.ram