Pepper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, wonders why something valuable to someone is called the apple of their eye. The expression apple of one’s eye dates back to the ninth century. It comes from misunderstanding the pupil of the eye as a sphere and...
Peter, calling from the coastal town of La Jolla, California, asks for a word for the bright pools of silver light that form on the ocean when sunbeams poke through cloud cover. Albedo describes the proportion of light a surface reflects, and...
red-out n.— «The scope should not be advanced against resistance. “Red-out” is the term used to describe what occurs when the tip of the scope is placed too close to the bowel wall mucosa. In this situation, the reflection of...
flocking n.— «Many Holga owners overcome this by taping up the gaps, or even spraypainting the camera’s shiny interior matt black to minimise internal reflection—a process called “flocking.” Others incorporate the light leaks...
scrim n.— «“Scrims” were a new word to me. They are shallow areas of gently flowing water (the water comes out from one side and drains at the opposite side). These are only about 1/8-inch deep, shallower than the sole of a shoe. Besides...
tumpsy n.— «Most men have seen Paris Hilton’s bare tumpsy more often than they’ve seen their own reflection.» —“Paris Hilton Sues The Millionth Website To Show Her Naked” by Stuart Heritage Hecklerspray Jan. 30...
