Between 2004 to 2007, many home-owners apparently logged Mr Greenspan's endorsement of "financial innovation" and took out mortgages with exotic names such as Option ARM.

BBC: City Diaries: 4 June

This is the simplest of examples, but bear in mind that more exotic mortgage contracts like option adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and such can leave the household in a similar situation, facing not only impaired equity but also higher payments.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Even companies like utilities--never big on exotic salaries--have begun to embrace the option practice.

FORBES: The Age Of The $100 Million CEO