TagEtymological Note

Costanza wallet

Costanza wallet n. a bulging, overstuffed billfold or wallet. Etymological Note: After the character George Costanza in the the twelfth episode, The Reverse Peephole, of the ninth season of Seinfeld, which aired on January 15, 1998. In the episode...

jet people

jet people n.pl. asylum-seekers, refugees, or immigrants who relocate by airplane. Also plane people. Etymological Note: Constructed in the fashion of boat people. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

viewshed

viewshed n. the landscape or topography visible from a geographic point, especially that having aesthetic value. Etymological Note: This term is directly related to watershed ‘an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different...

frog

frog v. to unravel a knitted garment. Also frog stitch v., to intentionally rip out a seam, and n., an intentionally ripped seam. Etymological Note: While it is possible that, as frequently stated, frog does come from the admonishment of “rip...

scarlet letter

scarlet letter n. a license plate that indicates the automobile’s owner has been convicted of driving while drunk. Etymological Note: This is a more specific sense of scarlet letter ‘a badge or symbol worn to indicate the bearer has committed a...