An example of symbol in the show would be the Gallagher's "squirrel fund". This is a Crisco jar that holds all of their money for groceries, bills and summer activities; they hide in plain sight in their cupboard; Frank doesn't know about it for obvious reasons. The "squirrel fund" is a symbol because it both holds value and isn't actually used by or for a squirrel. One would usually think of a 'squirrel fund' as the animal storing/hiding it's nuts for the winter, and although it is used in a similar way to describe the Gallagher's hiding their money from Frank for the summer, it is a symbol because it is a code word that only the children (plus V and Kev) know the meaning of.