stovepipe v.— «“They got him on the ground and he was still pulling the trigger, but the gun had stovepiped,” Werner said, using a term for when pistol jams and does not retract into the firing position.» —“Officers subdue...
Peter Pan housing n.— «Philadelphia is full of Peter Pan Housing—housing for people that never grow old. You’ve got living area and kitchen on first floor, bed and bath on second floor, laundry in basement (if you’re lucky enough to have...
corner boy n.— «Another dealer, “Donnie,” 16, and his corner crew laughed when asked about murder. Donnie is proud of being a “corner boy.” He said he and his pals sell crack around Clearfield and Hartville streets...
nick n.— «Then he saw a familiar face: his close friend’s mom. “I need a nick,” she mumbled to him. Without hesitation, he sold her a nickel bag—$5 worth of crack.» —“Philly’s drug dealers: Younger all the...
old head n.— «Donnie excused himself. An emerald-green Oldsmobile driven by a man in his 20s pulled up to the corner. Donnie slinked into the back seat. “That’s his old head,” said one of the boys, using street slang for...
opera hot n.— «He’s also peppered the 2006-’07 season with big names such as Anna Netrebko and Juan Diego Flórez (whom geeks refer to as “opera hot,” or extremely attractive in comparison to the archetypical Wagnerian fat lady with...