first paycheck
Initial employment compensation
A first paycheck is someone's initial payment from employment, typically marking entry into the workforce.
The phrase carries symbolic weight beyond its literal meaning—it represents financial independence, adulthood, and the transition from student or dependent to earner: I remember my first paycheck—I blew half of it on sneakers.
Often invoked nostalgically or as a milestone in coming-of-age narratives.
- earningsMoney gained from work
- salaryFixed periodic employment payment
- depositPlace for safekeeping
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- independenceFreedom from external control
direct deposit · stub · taxes · deductions · tax withholding · milestone · celebration · splurge · savings · bank account · job · entry-level · teenager · summer · pride · adulthood · grown up · real world
- career milestonespromotion, hire, retirement, raise, new job
- firstsinitial, beginning, start, opening, original
- kid moneyallowance, piggy bank, birthday money, lunch money, savings jar