vomit comet n.— «Officially, NASA’s C-135 was designated the Reduced Gravity Aircraft; unofficially, hapless trainees dubbed it the “vomit comet,” “barf buzzard,” and “weightless wonder.”» —by Roger E. Bilstein in National Aeronautics and Space...
vomit comet n. any form of transportation on which riders are (jocularly) said to become nauseated or seasick, such as an airplane that simulates zero-gravity conditions or a bus that transports late-night revelers. (source: Double-Tongued...
planemo n. an object in outer space with mass insufficient to achieve fusion but large enough to be made roughly spherical by its own gravity. Editorial Note: This term and meaning were derived by way of determining what characteristics, exactly...
Throckmorton sign n.— «One of these medical “tidbits” is the infamous “Throckmorton sign” for hip X-rays. This sign, the student is told, means that the penis is always pointed towards the side with the problem. This is always discussed while...
protein loss n.— «Motion sickness—politely referred to as “protein loss”—seems to be the No. 1 drawback on the Zero Gravity flight.» —“Insurance agent zeros in on weightless flight in Fla.” by Diane Bell San Diego Union-Tribune (California) Sept...
G-machine n. an automobile capable of withstanding one g of extra gravitational force due to braking and turning at high speeds; (hence) any fast vehicle, such as an automobile or boat. Etymological Note: G- < ‘gravity’ + machine (source: Double...