What’s the word for the smell of rain? It’s petrichor. For years, scientists referred to this evidence of rain as argillaceous odor because it was particularly noticeable near soil with a lot of whitish clay called argil. Then, in the...
swampbuster n.— «Added to the “sodbuster” penalties were new “swampbuster” provisions applying the same sanctions to farmers who drain wetlands to plant crops.» —“Dairy, Soil Plans OK’d; Grain Policies...
valley fill n.— «Mountaintop removal is just what the name suggests. Peaks are cleared of trees. Giant steam shovels then scrape away the topsoil. The rock beneath is blasted away until the coal is exposed. Some blasts have lopped as much...
off-off year n.— «The “off-off” year elections, as they are called, offer Fairfax County voters more choices than ever, as all 10 seats on the Board of Supervisors, 12 School Board positions, all the General Assembly positions (nine...