big smoke
n.— «The “big train” has reached the end of the road.…Walter Johnson somewhat sadly admitted today that he was through.…Twice now the “big smoke” has started in the series.» —“‘The Old Gray Mare Ain’t What She Used to Be,’ Says Walter Johnson, Twice Defeated Pitcher” by George Barry Clearfield Progress (Pa.) Oct. 10, 1924. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Cat hair may be something you brush off, but cat hair is also a slang term that means “money.” In the same way, cat beer isn’t alcoholic — some people use cat beer as a joking term for “milk.” And imagine walking on a...
There are eight major planets, but more than a million minor ones, including asteroids. If you discover one, you get the honor of naming it. The Dictionary of Minor Planet Names includes minor planets named for rock bands, jazz musicians, poets, and...