celebrity colonialism n.— «This Western security force is not a US or European army plundering Namibia’s natural resources or threatening to topple its government. It is the security entourage of one Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the...
bra wars n.pl.— «Such action by the EU would be expected to spark tensions similar to the trade battle last year over cheap Chinese textile imports, or the “bra wars” as that dispute came to be called. Huge quantities of...
honking adj. very large; whopping; as an intensifier or in an adverbial role, very. Editorial Note: It is unclear in the 1974 citation whether the cars had honking horns or were seen as large compared to the European automobiles. (source: Double...
microclimate n.— «We didn’t expect to see what I call “microclimates” in spending. Historically, companies in Europe have spent one-third of what U.S. companies spent; U.S. companies were putting money out for innovation and...
eff off loop n.— «A recorded message announced “Thank you for calling the European Commission in London. For assistance, please press ‘1’ on your telephone keypad now.” This led to a new message: “Extension 1 is invalid...
steaming n.— «Liverpool fans supporting their team in the European Cup would travel to towns in Italy, Spain, Belgium or Switzerland and pick up classy Euro sportswear as trinkets. Trainers, ski wear, track suits were all lifted from...