Lateral thinking

The term emerging markets was coined in 1981 by Antoine van Agtmael.

He was trying to start a Third-World Equity Fund to invest in shares from developing countries.

However his efforts to attract money were being constantly rebuffed.

“Racking my brain, at last I came up with a term that sounded more positive and invigorating: emerging markets.

‘Third world’ suggested stagnation; ‘emerging markets’ suggested progress, uplift and dynamism.”

Great example of lateral thinking via The Economist.