rat run

rat run
 n.— «This is only a particular example of the nonsense that goes on all the time in local government politics when roads are closed or narrowed to close off “rat runs,” a derogatory term for the use of minor roads as alternative links between trunk roads. The residents are claiming that the roads belong to them and no one else.» —“The rise of localism” by P.P. McGuiness Australian Dec. 1, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

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Further reading

It’s All in a Dezzick

The word dezzick is defined in an 1875 dictionary of the Sussex dialect as “a day’s work.” This is part of a complete episode.

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