vernac adj.— «It is often said if you want to sample true creative talent in India—or in any other multi-linguistic country—you have to go vernacular. “Vernac” may be a pejorative to us English-speaking elite, but just as true...
butt rock n.— «Who’s worse Tesla or REO Speedwagon?…In retrospect, at what concert are you most ashamed of banging your head? I was never—as my sports writing colleagues refer to it—a “butt rock” fan.» —“I’m gonna...
farmlyish adj.— «Detroit is pretty farmlyish.… You know, fields and stuff, horses and cows.» —“Hassapelis takes a writing journey” by Beth Staples in Stockton Springs, Maine VillageSoup Apr. 24, 2005...
red dress n.— «“the Gilligan cut”: When you cut directly from a character declaring there’s no way he’s going to do something, to him doing it, for comedic effect. Also called “the flip joke,” but I’ve heard this usage...
Bono n.— «“a Bono”: a place in the script that, no matter what joke you put there, it fails. Sonny Bono once opened a restaraunt up near the studios, called, of course, “Bono’s.” It failed, quickly. That’s unremarkable...
Squiggy n.— «“a Squiggy” or “the “hello’ gag”: From Laverne & Shirley. Can only be defined by example. Laverne (crossing to door): “What sort of degenerate freak would agree to that?” Squiggy (door...