filling the tree
v. phr.— «Dole has blocked action on the wage increase with a parliamentary maneuver known as “filling the tree,” which means no amendments may be made on pending legislation.» —“Gridlock vs. Checks and Balances GOP, Democrats Refuse to Accept Responsibility for Slowdown” by David C. Beeder Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska) May 12, 1996. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Chris in Omaha, Nebraska, asks about the use of the adjective husky to describe the boys’ clothing section in a department store. This coded term refers to clothes made for heavier fellows. Husky was originally a positive term connoting the...
John in Omaha, Nebraska, wonders about a phrase that encourages someone to attend an event or risk being left out or feeling uncool: be there or be square. Don’t fall for the fake etymology about people wearing boxes on their heads! Ditto for...