Big (Industry)

Definition:

A sarcastic or critical term used to describe large corporations or influential entities within a specific sector that wield significant power over markets, politics, and society

Context:

The phrase "Big (industry)" or "in the pocket of Big ___" originated from serious critiques of powerful corporate interests, with "Big Tobacco" & "Big Oil" being early examples from the mid-1900s. It implies that these entities are "too big" and have undue influence via lobbying or other means, often being accused of having politicians or regulators "in their pocket."

While the phrase is still used seriously to discuss corporate power (e.g., "Big Tech," "Big Pharma," etc.), its ironic usage for niche industries has become prevalent in memes & social media. For instance, someone might jokingly blame "Big Pillow" for their poor sleep or "Big Cereal" for making breakfast too delicious. This playful application of the term to mundane or unlikely industries highlights the ubiquity of the original phrase while poking fun at conspiracy theory-style thinking. The ironic usage serves as both social commentary and a form of internet humor, reflecting Gen-Z's tendency to blend serious topics with absurdist comedy.

Example:

^{(for legal
reasons, all names & events in the following scenario have been made
up)}

Gnat: “What's up with that extra tiny pocket inside our normal jean pockets?”

Tilley: “Clearly just the denim industry in the pocket of Big Pants”