[Right Wing Assault]

“The price of oil has gone parabolic.” Not to nitpick, but I think quantum is the proper term.

Quantum? I like parabolic. A parabola starts out low and gets steeper and steeper.

Quantum physics deals in tiny increments with no possible values in between, such as an electron "leaping" from one energy level to another. These are called "quantum leaps". It's kind of a physics joke. Contrary to popular belief, a quantum leap is small.

[Yardstick]

So why didn’t the old standby “exponential” make the cut?

[A Strict Constructionist]

On the upside and the downside.

[r9etb]

It's kind of a physics joke. Contrary to popular belief, a quantum leap is small.

Thanks, RWA ... the "quantum leap" thing is one of my pet peeves.