alive day n. the anniversary of a close escape from death, especially one involving permanent injury. Editorial Note: Jim Mayer and former senator Max Cleland (D-Ga.) have been celebrating their “alive days” for decades, since receiving injuries during the Vietnam War. Cleland credits Mayer for the celebration idea. In turn, according to one source, Mayer “credits the Alive Day idea to the beneficent effects of morphine and to an attempt to impress a pretty nurse.” (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
The word filibuster has a long and colorful history, going back to the days when pirates roamed the high seas. Today it refers to hijacking a piece of legislation. Plus, the language of yoga teachers: When doing a guided meditation, you may hear...