A caller from Long Beach, California, says hell for leather describes “a reckless abandonment of everything but the pursuit of speed.” But why hell for leather? The expression seems to have originated in the mid-19th century, referencing...
come up v. phr.— «Deputy District Attorney Jose Arias portrayed the men as experienced garage burglars and possible drug users who were short on money during the early morning hours of March 28, 2006, and were looking to “come...
cold-iron v.— «However, said Chavdarian, if the ocean-going ships that now call at the port are required to “cold iron,” that is, completely shut down all boilers while in port and rely on shore-side electric power for lights...
field show-up n.— «With closing arguments set to begin today, the case against 10 Long Beach youths accused of beating three white women Halloween night hinges almost entirely on identifications made in a Ralphs parking lot the night of...
shoobie n.— «“They get offended when we say, “Shoobie, go home.” Besides, it’s bad for business. I just smile and wave and say, “Ya’ll come back now.’”…Shoobie is a name Long Beach Island residents attach to...
Katrina crud n.— «Harold “Buz” Olsen, the city’s community and economic development director, said between 40 and 80 patients a day visit the clinic for a variety of injuries and illnesses, including the nagging respiratory...