vom
n.— «The stage at Le Rêve is a 27-foot-deep circular pool of water. At three points on its circumference—the 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock, and 8 o’clock positions—are vomitory lifts (not vomitory as in “a place where you puke” but vomitory as in the tunnels that admitted ancient Romans into the Coliseum). The voms are water-filled tunnels that lead backstage so scenery and performers can move into the pool.» —“On Las Vegas Stages, Daring Feats of Engineering Steal the Show” by Adam Rogers Wired May 22, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Michelle in Williamsburg, Virginia, wonders about the origin of alley-oop!, which she says when hoisting her toddler. It’s from French allez, the imperative of aller meaning “to go” and houp or hop, an onomatopoeic utterance made...
A flashlight emits a steady beam of light. So what’s the flash part of that word about? Also, if you’re a nervous Nellie, you’re skittish and indecisive—both characteristics of an American politician who earned that nickname in the...