In this week’s episode: Just how far back could you go and still understand the English people were speaking? We crank up our trusty time machine to find out. Hint: You’d probably have a tough time getting around in the eighth century, when English...
spin-out n.— «A “spin-out” from OLPC, the company, Pixel Qi is looking to create a $75 laptop and trying to advance low-cost computers and power-efficient laptops, mobile phones and other consumer electronics that are sunlight readable, Jepsen...
witness mark n.— «Development of a material cutting machine employing an ultrasonic cutting blade that is three times faster than earlier methods. The same equipment automatically marks the material with either witness mark lines or part numbers...
fudge n.— «This remarkable time record was rendered possible by a process known as “fudging.” The type lines set by the linotype-telegraph operator are wider at the top that at the base, so that when placed together they form the section of a small...
dead man’s switch n. especially in railroad usage, a safety device meant to stop or slow a vehicle or machine if its operator releases the controls. Also dead man’s handle, dead man’s brake, dead man’s lever, dead man’s pedal. (source: Double...
Billary n.— «Who is Hillary Clinton?…In the unstable personality we used to call “Billary,” he was the id and she was the super-ego, a role she clearly relished even as it poisoned her with resentment.» —“A sleek, power-seeking machine” by Barbara...
