olf n. a scientific measure of indoor odor intensity. Etymological Note: olfaction unit, from the Latin olfactus ‘the action or capacity of smelling; the sense of smell.’ Coined by Danish scientist Povl Ole Fanger in 1987. The first cite is his...
conehead n. a scientist; a brainy person. Also cone. Editorial Note: Probably influenced by pointy-head ‘a brainy or intellectual person.’ Despite what the 1997 citation says, this term is probably also influenced by a series of skits and a movie...
intelligent design n.— «The term “intelligent design” was reputedly coined in 1991 by Phillip E. Johnson, a law professor, in his book “Darwin on Trial.”» —“Scientist, lawyer debate intelligent design...
infolaxis n.— «Also, he’s leading research into how fire ants in a particular colony exchange chemical information with one another. Anderson has coined the term “infolaxis” to describe the exchange phenomenon. The coinage...
epigenetics n.— «An ichthyologist (fish scientist), who specializes in epigenetics, the study of physical and chemical changes, became the first scientist from the West to examine the radioactive countryside up close.» —“Nuclear...