zeitgeber n.— «Light and temperature are the only periodic or quasi-periodic environmental variables to which endogenous oscillation can be coupled: in nature they entrain the endogenous oscillation, thereby controlling period and...
drying rock n.— «At a stakeholders meeting convened Wednesday by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, many of the experts heard a new phrase for the first time: “drying rocks.” It...
jitterbug n.— «The clubs started putting the phrase “no jits” on the flyers—”jit” being short for “jitterbug,” Detroit slang for gangsta.» —by Simon Reynolds Generation Ecstasy July, 1999...
mama put n.— «Mama-put: Road side food seller so called because customers frequently beg for extra helpings by saying “Mama abeg put more now.”» —by Babawilly Babawilly’s Dictionary of Pidgin English Words and...
Cots adj.— «It has adopted a new phrase, Cots (commercial, off-the-shelf), to describe its more generic approach to its products.» —“Peace tries for no layoffs as it rejigs R&D” by David Watson in Auckland, N.Z...
tools of ignorance n.— «Bresnahan’s shin guards were the final pieces of the “tools of ignorance,” that great descriptive phrase for the catcher’s equipment. There are conflicting stories about who came up with that wonderful...