AIG equals “Already Is Government,” etc.

Anyone who's looked at the stock market knows that stocks are traded according to ticker symbols, usually one to five letters that stand for the company. In recent years, some companies have tried to use their symbols as mini-marketing efforts; Southwest Airlines, for example, is LUV. But most of the time, the ticker symbol is some abbreviated version of the company's name: Google is, not surprisingly, GOOG.

The recent tumult on Wall Street, however, has some impish bankers suggesting alternative interpretations, which we've compiled below. Got better suggestions? E-mail us at tbmcontact@thebigmoney.com, and thanks to Daniel Gross for the tips.

AIG (American International Group)

Already Is Government

BAC (Bank of America)