string of pearls
n.— «The internal report stated that China is adopting a “string of pearls” strategy of bases and diplomatic ties stretching from the Middle East to southern China that includes a new naval base under construction at the Pakistani port of Gwadar.» —“China builds up strategic sea lanes” by Bill Gertz Washington Times (Washington, D.C.) Jan. 18, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Our discussion of Anglo-Saxon kennings inspired listener Paul Holler of Arlington Heights, Illinois, to write a lovely poem exploring the idea of the kenning sea-guest, meaning “sailor,” and what it means to be a guest of the sea and what that says...
Chelsea from Louisville, Kentucky, is having a debate with her husband about how to pronounce antenna. She’s from Chicago, Illinois, and he’s from Louisville. She pronounces the second syllable to sound like the word ten, while he pronounces that...