cotton curtain n. a political, social, and cultural divide, especially concerning race, between the American South and the rest of the country. Editorial Note: A similar term is Orange Curtain. Etymological Note: Patterned after Iron Curtain...
grow teeth v. phr. in golf, (said of a course or hole) to become difficult; generally, to increase in importance or effect. Editorial Note: The Oxford English Dictionary has a sense under tooth “pl. denoting the ability to compel or enforce...
rubber room n. a space where a worker subject to a disciplinary hearing or other administrative action waits and does no work; generally, a place or personal mind-set of isolation. Etymological Note: After rubber room, a literal reference to a...
ditch v. especially in the phrase ditch in line, to unfairly take a place in front of others (in a line); to cut or butt (in line); to jump a queue. Editorial Note: Also infrequently given as dish. This term is particularly common in Ohio. Political...
brick v. (generally) to fail; (of a person) to commit an error or do poorly; (especially in sports) to miss or fail to reach a target, goal, or destination; (of a musical recording) to fail to be successful or sell well; to stiff; (of an electronic...
frequent flier n. a repeat offender; a recidivist; (generally) a person who regularly or habitually uses or takes advantage of a service. Etymological Note: A generalization of frequent flier, defined by the New Oxford American Dictionary as a...