track two diplomacy
n.— «All this was what is sometimes called “Track Two” diplomacy, i.e., quiet sessions out of the headlines. Whatever its results, it is a lot better than future headlines of nuclear catastrophe.» —“Sleepwalking Towards a Nuclear Catastrophe” Embassy (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) Oct. 4, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Rowan in Ottawa, Ontario, says her Irish mom used a puzzling word to indicate a sort of restless discontent not caused by anything in particular. It may be neamhchinnte, which means “uncertain” or “indecisive.” This is part...
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...