flotsamist n.— «Where and when something reaches shore depends mainly on weight, wind, and currents. Experts can study flotsam—driftwood, in particular—that help them understand ocean currents and weather patterns. Nature also provides indicators...
yo-yoing n.— «In the wake of a controversy that engulfed the Derby this fall, two respected Island organizations have asked the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to ban a fishing method known as yo-yoing…a fishing method that...
mom job n.— «Mommy surgery appeals both as a quick fix for stubborn postpregnancy weight and as a way to control aging itself. Dozens of doctors devote parts of their Web sites to the mom job, including Dr. Lloyd M. Krieger, a plastic surgeon in...
suicide lane n.— «If a driver coming toward you in the other inside lane has to come to a sudden stop, his throwing his weight on the brake pedal will tend to make him twist his steering wheel so that his car veers into your lane. That’s what can...
wannarexia n.— «By now, we all know the symptoms: a refusal to eat or to acknowledge an unhealthy weight, combined with physical problems like heart palpitations, hair loss, and amenorrhea. It sounds like a nightmare—but for many young women...
dead man’s pedal n.— «Hardly noticeable, under his right foot, is a small pedal—resembling the clutch pedal on your automobile. “That’s called ’dead man’s pedal’,” Charlie explains. “The weight of my foot holds it down. If for any reason my foot...