rubber ear
n.— «While Scots have never been backward about coming forward with complaints, they stand more chance of getting the rubber-ear treatment than anywhere else. According to the survey, 15 per cent of Scots interviewed complained that their complaints had been ignored.» —“No Whine Please, We’re Scots!” Scottish Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) Aug. 22, 1994. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Understanding the varieties of conversational styles can mean the difference between feeling you’re understood and being insulted. “High-involvement” speakers interrupt or talk along with someone else to signal their enthusiasm...
What kind of book do people ask for most often in prison? Romance novels? No. The Bible? No. The most requested books by far are … dictionaries! A number of volunteer organizations gather and distribute used dictionaries to help inmates with...