Tagfin

Fluke Print

A fluke print is the pattern a whale’s tail leaves on the surface of the water. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Fluke Print” I came across a cool word the other day, fluke print. This is the record of all the...

In-Flight Lingo

When flight attendants use the terms feather, leather, or fin, they’re talking about “chicken, beef, or fish.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “In-Flight Lingo” Here’s another bit of airline...

snuba

snuba  n.— «For an unusual type of underwater exploration in the Red Sea try what the Israelis call snuba. It’s a combination of scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers, who must be at least 8 years old, wear fins and a mask but breathe...

nuke the fridge

nuke the fridge  v. phr.— Note: The short life of this term is ably covered by Jason Kottke. «In TV land, this phenomenon is known as “jumping the shark”: the moment when a once proud series swan-dives into putridity. It’s a...

rat-a-billy

rat-a-billy  n.— «Once disgraced, now embraced, rat rods are becoming one of the hottest trends among backyard mechanics since the tail fin. Also called the primer job, lowbuck, or rat-a-billy, rat rods are used cars with attitude. They...

primer job

primer job  n.— «Once disgraced, now embraced, rat rods are becoming one of the hottest trends among backyard mechanics since the tail fin. Also called the primer job, lowbuck, or rat-a-billy, rat rods are used cars with attitude. They are...