shoddy yarn
n.— «I learnt that Panipat is the country’s biggest producer of shoddy yarn, importing rags from Europe, USA, Asia and Canada and spinning them into inexpensive yarn. In fact, its 350-plus shoddy spinning units give Panipat the distinction of having the largest number of shoddy spinning units in the world (Italy’s in the second place). Intrigued by what I’d heard, I decided to visit a shoddy yarn unit in the district.» —“Geetanjali Krishna: Nothing shoddy about it” by Geetanjali Krishna in New Delhi Business Standard (India) Sept. 9, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Mary Beth in Greenville, South Carolina, wonders: Why do we say four-oh-nine for the number 409 instead of four-zero-nine or four-aught-nine? What are the rules for saying either zero or oh or aught or ought to indicate that arithmetical symbol...
Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe...