kit-bashing
n.— «The term for buying a kit and replacing its materials is “kit-bashing.” Kerr said Dellaquila isn’t the only kit-basher in the society; that is, members who order a kit and then throw away much of the materials in favor of their own custom additions. One member cast aside all the wood in a ship model kit and sent away for Swiss pearwood to complete his vision.» —“Model Citizen” by Tony Marrero in Spring Hill Hernando Today (Tampa, Florida) Feb. 8, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Imagine telling someone how to get to your home, but without using the name of your street, or any other street within ten miles. Could you do it? We take street names for granted, but these words are useful for far more, like applying for a job or...
David from Plymouth, Wisconsin, wonders about the expression a cord of wood. The phrase goes back to the 17th century and has to do with using a cord to measure a specific quantity of stacked wood. This is part of a complete episode.
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