mean-mugging
n.— «Oakland is a town where “mean mugging,” the slang expression for looking at someone the wrong way, results in lethal exchanges of gunfire.» —“Decaying park reflects Oakland problems” by John Fall San Francisco Chronicle Aug. 15, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Oofless is an antiquated bit of British slang that describes someone temporarily short on cash. It’s from ooftisch, a Yiddish-derived term for “cash placed on the table,” from German auf Tisch. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
Carpe diem! A new book reveals the surprisingly unfamiliar stories behind familiar quotations. Also: Rock climbers have gumbies, and surfers have kooks. What do those words say about beginners who have more confidence than experience? Plus, if...