screech
n.— «After their one bottle a day has been consumed, the men must content themselves with the foul-tasting chlorinated water, made more palatable by the addition of flavoured powder, or “screech” as they call it.» —“As the war against the Taliban continues to rage, what is life in Afghanistan really like?” in Garmsir, Afghanistan Indepdendent (United Kingdom) July 28, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Tim in Unadilla, New York, says his grandmother used to say It’s a great life if you don’t weaken. For some reason, in 1914 this catchphrase exploded on both sides of the Atlantic. Other versions: It’s a gay life if you don’t weaken and It’s a good...
Malia in San Diego is of Afghan descent, and wonders why crocheted blankets are referred to as afghans. There is a long, rich history of textile weaving in Afghanistan with repeated geometric designs, and the term afghan was probably borrowed to...