penta-millionaire n.— «There’s also been a steep rise in the number of what Phoenix refers to as “penta-millionaire” households—those with at least $5 million in liquid assets. There are now 755,000 of them, up 47 percent...
moosing n.— «“And now a brief word about the essential but disreputable—moosing and liquor,” a freshman advice column penned in the Phoenix in September 1959 reads. While the art of “moosing” (roughly translated as “messing around”) at...
gravy plane n.— «Now, however, the gravy plane has been grounded. As a result of the reporters’ questions, City Manager Frank Fairbanks has decided that the city ought to actually put some limits on city junketeers.» —“Dig...
dura n.— «Kimmons told the detective that she wanted to buy $20 of “dura,” a slang term for crack cocaine, records show. The detective gave Kimmons two rocks of simulated cocaine in exchange for the money.» —“Woman...
skate v.— «Eventually, he was given a job within The Woods guarding a stash of tobacco. The punishment if his stash was discovered? First time, you skate. Second time, The Woods clobber you.» —“Sheriff Gangbanger” by...
chin check n.— «I did not know, upon my arrival at the Durango Jail, that the “Woods” were part of the Aryan Brotherhood. I did, however, witness some of what can happen if jail protocol is not followed to the letter of the...