pathfinder state
n.— «One interesting neologism appears in the foreign policy arena: “pathfinder state.” Essentially a new phrase meaning “regional ally,” a pathfinder state is neither a great power nor an emerging great power such as India, but rather a nation whose interest in a progressive international agenda overlaps with Canada’s.» —“Long On Style, Short On Specifics” by Peter Schneider Embassy (Can.) Apr. 20, 2005. (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...
Eric from West Lafayette, Indiana, wonders which phrase is correct when referring to “making the grade” or “meeting expectations”: Is it cut the mustard or cut the muster? It’s the former, a reference to the strong...