tin medal
n.— «An unusually high number of American athletes did win the mythical tin medal for fourth place.» —“Medal Haul Leaves Americans Wanting More—Doesn’t It?” by John Markon Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va.) Feb. 22, 1998. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Mary Beth in Greenville, South Carolina, wonders: Why do we say four-oh-nine for the number 409 instead of four-zero-nine or four-aught-nine? What are the rules for saying either zero or oh or aught or ought to indicate that arithmetical symbol...
Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe...