side letter n.— «The situation was so dire in Peabody the School Committee last week passed what’s called a “side letter” to the teachers’ contract, a first for the district. The decision allows administrators to offer...
happy hello n.— «A new phrase is doing the rounds in the recruitment industry—the happy hello. The phrase has been coined for the joining bonuses that companies are offering to coax the best employees into their fold. Such incentives are...
motarded adj. excessively stupid; in the military, enthusiastic to the point of stupidity. Editorial Note: Although there’s no shortage of jokes, puns, and misunderstandings about its similarity to “retarded,” a different...
global weirding n.— «The nation is reeling from several factors: Hurricane Katrina, “Global Weirding” (strange and violent weather and other events), our myopic and hopeless dependence on foreign energy, record worldwide...
two-and-barbecue other.— «There’s no shortage of explanations for the ACC’s 51-year drought. Of the league’s 25 qualifiers, only seven have won at least two games in the tournament, equaling the number of league teams heading home after...
boomer n.— «For some projects, such as the blast furnace, union tradesman from as far away as New York and California—known in construction as “boomers” and travelers—are coming to Northwest Indiana and Illinois to work...