Habitrail house
n.— «Carl Kietzke of Seattle, the president of the International Fire Buffs Associates, said that up and down the West Coast he had heard the phrase “Habitrail house,” referring to buildings there that firefighters have likened to rambling, unkempt rodent cages.» —“‘Collyers’ Mansion’ Is Code for Firefighters’ Nightmare” by Andy Newman New York Times July 5, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
Sean in Oneonta, New York, says that when he was growing up in New Jersey, his family would pile in the car and set off on a surprise adventure, whether a short distance or long, and the kids would be told only that they were going on Buxtehude...