rehab
v.— «Topsfield Fire Chief Ronald Giovannacci said firefighting in the summer requires added safeguards. Regardless of temperature, firefighters go through a process known as “rehab.” After a certain amount of time fighting a fire they are replaced by a fresher firefighter. Then they are re-hydrated and evaluated by paramedics on the scene. In the winter time firefighters are “rehabbed” after 40 minutes. During the summer, rehab takes place after 20 minutes. Extra precautions in the summer include disrobing the resting firefighter and cooling them off as best as possible with misting fans.» —“Too hot or too cold?” by David Rogers Tri-Town Transcript (Norwood, Massachusetts) July 21, 2006. (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...
A young listener wonders: Why do the words icing and frosting both refer to the idea of being cold? The names for this sweet cover on a cake refer to its appearance, not its temperature. Something similar occurs with the glaze in glazed doughnut...