forty-eight
n.— «“Major incident school bus over Northside bridge under the interstate,” the message read. “Five ambulances on scene, one supervisor, multiple 48.” In the parlance of paramedics, “48’s” are fatalities. Dr. Ossmann threw on scrubs and dashed out the door.» —“Deadly bus crash united a team focused on survival” by Brian Feagans Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia) Mar. 3, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Frederick from Valdosta, Georgia, wonders about the term galley-west. To knock something galley-west means to “knock it into confusion” “send everything in all directions.” In Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry...
For rock climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, the word send has taken on a whole new meaning. You might cheer on a fellow snowboarder with Send it, bro! — and being sendy is a really great thing. Plus: a nostalgic trip to Willa...