helicopter parents
n.pl.— «When their babies go off to college, some parents are unable to deal with the empty nest. One of the names applied to them is “helicopter parents,” who hover over campus and their children—mostly during their freshman year.» —“UF is finding many parents unwilling to cut kids loose” by Bob Arndorfer Gainsville Sun (Florida) Jan. 23, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Lee in Charleston, South Carolina, remembers her dad used to refer to a blue patch of sky after a rain as kitten’s britches. Similar terms include Dutchman’s trousers, old woman’s apron, and cat’s vest, all suggesting that...
Carmen in Jacksonville, Florida, was told she was pretty as a speck of puff. The more common simile is pretty as a speckled pup or cute as a speckled pup. This is part of a complete episode.
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