retail jail
n.— «In a recent story about Home Office plans to ease the burden on police by creating so-called “retail jails” in shopping centres, the phrase “custody suites” was used. I’ve heard of bridal suites, a three-piece suite even, but custody suites? I think most people associate the word suite with a certain amount of comfort, luxury even. Perhaps would-be criminals have also heard about these suites, and want to find out for themselves if they’re actually as nice as they sound.» —“In a manner of speaking, we’re in danger of talking utter gibberish” by Chris Bond Yorkshire Post (United Kingdom) Apr. 2, 2007. (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...