Jennifer, an elementary-school teacher in Tallahassee, Florida, loves saying the term chockablock, meaning “closely packed together,” and wonders about its etymology. Chock can refer to a kind of wedge used to hold something in place...
day soldier n.— «But they will continue to provide insurgents, I’m sure. What has to happen here is to drive a wedge between the extremist leadership and what I call the “day soldiers,” [insurgents] those who sign up not...
family photo n.— «The western leaders have used the D-Day ceremonies to underscore the unity of the western alliance in the face of Soviet attempts to drive a political wedge between the United States and Western Europe—and this was...
wedge tornado n.— «The tornado that struck Greensburg is being described as at least a mile wide, perhaps a mile and a half wide. It was what is known as a “wedge” tornado, a tornado that looks wider than it does tall...
pickle-stabber n.— «Pickle-stabber An extremely pointy high heel that is, in fact, so pointy you could stab a pickle with it, if you so desired. Despite the awesome name, these have been replaced by wedges and platform soles as the shoe...
dirtboard n.— «Up front is the Shockboard ($19) which utilizes an expanding wedge that fits into the bottom of the steerer tube. Once the wedge is secured, simply slide the fender, or dirtboard, as they’re called over there, into the slot...