whippy n.— «The system is broken, Donelon said, adding that he sees the evidence daily in the mounting number of “whippys”—defense attorney slang for whiplash claims, so common that they are paid out at a standard rate, even...
lagniappe semester n.— «Tulane will be running a second spring term starting in mid-May (dubbed, in local parlance, a “Lagniappe Semester”) to keep students on track for graduation.» —“An Economist Visits New...
NOPD n.— «“N.O.P.D.” says another, not an acronym for the New Orleans Police Department, but for its attitude of “Not Our Problem, Dude.”» —“‘Xenophobia’ won’t easily fit on line of latest T-shirt” by Joe...
Cajun microwave n.— «Ms. Laurent said, pigs are cooked in front of a fire, over a fire, or in a “Cajun microwave”—a charcoal cooker big enough to hold a 40- or 50-pound pig.» —“How ’Bout Some Fried Turkey?” in...
selling loads n.— «Cab rides in New Orleans aren’t even cheap, thanks to factors ranging from the high cost of cab leases to the unsavory practice of hotel employees “selling loads” to cabbies. “Just to get an airport...
jack-o’-lantern effect n.— «The plan’s gradual morphing reflects a desire to avoid what planners refer to as the “jack-o’-lantern” effect—sparse redevelopment in a sea of abandoned properties—while still allowing homeowners...