I believe it was Intel that used to joke about the "million-dollar club". The story I heard is that, as a fab engineer, you got admitted to the club by accidentally spoiling one lot of wafers, each of which represented more than one million dollars in gross revenue.
Since there are many, many potential process mistakes that can spoil an entire lot at once, the implication was that you weren't going to remain outside the club for very long.
Wait until someone forgets to tick off "Items to be returned to toolbox: ... #32) Phillips Screwdriver (1)" prior to testing ignition on a prototype aircraft engine. A million will sound cheap.
Have I mentioned that the engineering culture in this neck of the woods takes checklists very effing seriously?
Since there are many, many potential process mistakes that can spoil an entire lot at once, the implication was that you weren't going to remain outside the club for very long.