pocket listing n.— «He also dismissed reports on the TMZ.com Web site that Candy Spelling let go her staff of 30 to enable real estate agents to tour the house in what is known as a “pocket listing,” a quiet shopping around of...
Collyer’s Mansion n.— «In New York City, and along much of the East Coast, a dwelling jammed rafter-high with junk is referred to by rescue personnel, with dismay and no small degree of respect, as a “Collyers’ Mansion.” As...
teardown n.— «A million-dollar “teardown,” real estate parlance for buying a home for the land or the view, is a new thing in Tacoma.» —“New owner bulldozes 1925 mansion” by Barbara Clements News Tribune (Tacoma...
cowdust time n.— «By “cowdust time,” the evocative Indian term for dusk, we are still 30 miles from our village. After asking the way a dozen times (Indians tend to be relaxed about the subtle difference between...
swankienda n. a mansion or large house. Editorial Note: This term appears to be special to the Houston, Texas, area, but has also spread elsewhere. Etymological Note: swanky + Sp. hacienda. Journalist Maxine Mesinger is often credited with the...
Collyer n.— «A veteran firefighter called the job a “Collyer mansion”—packed and crowded with junk and debris like the old upper Fifth Avenue spread.» —“Burning Down the Squat” by Matthew Fleischer Village...