wildcat
v.— «Illegal solicitation of rides, or “wildcatting” as it is known, is a persistent problem in San Ysidro, said Ricardo Castro, of Greyhound Lines Inc. Castro, who is a board member of the San Ysidro Border Transportation Council, said wildcatters take away customers from businesses who operate legally. Many wildcatters carry no insurance, don’t undergo drug testing and don’t know the emergency procedures taught when applying for state certification.» —“Van driver pleads not guilty after certification sting” by Janine Zúñiga Union-Tribune (San Diego, California) May 12, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
There was a time when William Shakespeare was just another little seven-year-old in school. Classes in his day were demanding — and all in Latin. A new book argues that this rigorous curriculum actually nurtured the creativity that later flourished...