whimperative n.— «The clearest example is ordinary politeness. When you are at a dinner party and want the salt, you don’t blurt out, “Gimme the salt.” Rather, you use what linguists call a whimperative, as in “Do you...
tuxedo n.— «Late for a dinner appointment, she cut through an alley off Belmont Road NW in Adams Morgan and was surprised to see a dozen black-and-white cats—tuxedos, as they are called.» —“Stray but Not Forgotten” by Sue...
windshield cowboy n.— «Instead of the customary chuck wagon, the participating cowboys and a number of “windshield cowboy” spectators ate their barbecue dinner at the auction after the herd was penned.» —“Cowboys Push...
tote-a-note v. phr.— «He and the majority of those at the dinner share the point of view of Bobby Richardson and Al Rowe, salesmen at two of the “tote-a-note” lots selling automobiles on easy terms along Victory Drive in...
avatarsment n.— «Three “virtual consumer actors” will appear as talking avatars in a :30 spot for Taco Bell’s “Fourthmeal,” a clever new term for the fare you grub between dinner and breakfast. (You may know it...
family photo n.— «In the evening, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will give dinner in honor of the summiteers. The final meeting of the summit will open on Sunday. After an hour-long discussion and approval of the final...