Englishry

en-noun

Englishry (countable and uncountable, plural Englishries)

/ˈɪŋ(ɡ)lɪʃɹi/

/ˈɪŋ(ɡ)lɪʃɹi/

Blue-eyed women he believed there were in Kashmir, but here was the mythical Englishry of fair hair as well.

1956, Anthony Burgess, Time for a Tiger (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 50:

It is these people who, taking with them so much furniture and Englishry of all kinds have set up everywhere communities with names like ‘Little England’, ‘Newest England’, ‘England Again’ which are more English than England ever was.

1969, Doris Lessing, The Four-Gated City, Flamingo 1993 edition, page 635:

Yes, [Philip] Larkin was an icon of Englishry, and a fine specimen of its complexes and neuroses: not only arrogant and xenophobic hut also inward-looking, frightened, and depressive.

1993 September 1, Geoffrey Wheatcroft, “An Icon of Englishry”, in The Atlantic:

(countable, historical) In medieval Britain, the part of a lordship or other domain inhabited by English people and governed according to English law.


louchettes

Goggles intended to rectify strabismus by permitting vision only directly in front.


Irishry

Nor perhaps would it so much have mattered if it were Dorothy alone who was (to say an Irishry) drifting apart.

1906, Appleton’s Booklovers Magazine, volume 7, page 59:

“[…] every morning he used to sing delectable Irishries I’ve never heard repeated.”

1995, William J. Leonard, Where Thousands Fell, →ISBN, page 262:

And he is very much aware of the danger of overindulging in Irishries: in a letter to Barbara Brey he mentions a translation he himself has done […] and says of his own contribution: ‘a bit too free and Irish’.

2022, George Craig, “Solitude of the Translator”, in Jan Steyn, editor, Translation: Crafts, Contexts, Consequences, →ISBN, page 9:

A distinctively Irish mannerism or expression; an Irishism.


Montagnais

Borrowed from French montagnais, from montagne (“mountain”) + -ais.

An Algonquian language spoken by approximately 11,000 people in Eastern Canada.


trooz

Trooz, n.pl. short trousers

1923, Sir James Wilson, The dialect of Robert Burns as spoken in central Ayrshire, page 191:


janiceps

From Latin Iānus (“two-headed god”) + -ceps (“headed”).

conjoined twins whose heads are fused together but look in opposite directions


jards

A callous tumour below the hock on the leg of a horse


inmeats

(archaic, rare) The viscera of animals, as meat.


steelie

Better wear your steelies when he's around. [Implies that he is clumsy.]

(usually plural only, informal) steel-toe boots.


spetches

The parings and refuse of hides, skins, etc., from which glue is made.


spatterdashes

spatterdashes pl (normally plural, singular spatterdash)

[W]’i my firelock, and my bagnet, and my spatterdashes […] I was a pretty sight in my soldiering days.

1878, Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native, page 165:

Over the winter-solid Roads, goes a great seething,— of mounted younger Gentlemen riding together by the dozens upon rented horses, Express Messengers in love with pure Velocity, Disgruntl'd Suitors with Pistols stuff'd in their Spatterdashes, seal'd Waggons not even a western Black-Boy would think of detaining.

1997, Thomas Pynchon, chapter 39, in Mason & Dixon, 1st US edition, New York: Henry Holt and Company, →ISBN, part Two: America, page 395:

Coverings for the legs, to protect them from water and mud; long gaiters.


grammates

Ha , ha , ha ! These apish boys , when they but taste the grammates, And principles of theory, imagine

(obsolete) The rudiments or first principles, as of grammar.


theatre blues

Blue clothing is worn in an operating theatre.


typothetae

From type + Ancient Greek θέτης (thétēs, “one who places”).


shooting rights

The right to enter upon land and make a geophysical survey.


Giant Mountains

A mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland.


Spock ears

(idiomatic) Pointy ears, resembling those of Spock, a Star Trek character.


halones

(biology) Alternating transparent and opaque white rings which are seen outside the blastoderm, on the surface of the developing egg of the hen and other birds.


lesser vestibular glands

en-noun

lesser vestibular glands pl (plural only)


Newton's rings

(physics) A pattern of interference of light characterized by concentric rings that is caused by light's reflection from two surfaces, one of which is usually round.


salami tactics

Calque of Hungarian szalámitaktika, coined by Hungarian communist Mátyás Rákosi to describe the method, "cutting them off like slices of salami", by which the Hungarian Communist Party dealt with political opponents under his leadership.

At another level, there are what the Americans describe as Iraq's "salami tactics" - picking at weak points in the rules of sanctions, preferably in ways that cause disagreement between the US and other countries.

2001 January 3, Brian Whitaker, “The great survivor”, in The Guardian:

The tactics were more those of 1948 in Prague than St. Petersburg in 1917, consisting of the slow acquisition of positions in the army and the police, and the application of what used to be called “salami tactics” against other parties.

2010, Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22, McClelland & Stewart, published 2010, →ISBN, page 184:

Senior Tories might thus prefer to avoid a further public backlash over the loss of any of the BBC's channels. So, salami tactics are more likely than wholesale closures. BBC Four is likely to be stripped down and relaunched as an arts channel, making it a more direct competitor to BSkyB's Sky Arts.

2011 June 2, “And now for something completely different”, in The Economist:

The piecemeal removal or scaling back of something (especially political opposition); a gradual attack on an opposing position, group, etc.


pseudobacteria

(biology, dated) Microscopic organic particles, molecular granules, powdered inorganic substances, etc., which in form, size, and grouping resemble bacteria.


bix

I was just wondering what everyone else has in their respective Coffee/Tea […]
please specify what food stuffs that you have been known to dunk.

2000 January 5, "blackbat" <XXXbtinternet.com>, "Re: the spy who loved tea", message-ID <38760635.2776140@news.btinternet.com>, alt.2eggs.sausage.beans.tomatoes.2toast.largetea.cheerslove, Usenet

Make sure you have plenty of tea/coffee and choccy bix on hand when they show up!

2003 March 3, Chris Comley <Chris_@spamdeath.kill.die.wizards.co.uk>, "Re: Home Highway - ADSL", message-ID <1oq76vo4gduo15ukcgrdr7e0cecibp8bs2@4ax.com>, uk.telecom.broadband, Usenet

btw, the bix are Albert (NAITUK), Lincoln, Jammie Dodger, (Jaffa Cake - NAB), Thin Arrowroot, Malted Milk, Nice, Hobnob.

2005 September 10, Adrian Bailey <dadgehotmail.com>, "Re: [=SDC=] Q46. A cup of tea's too wet without one....", message-ID <kLwUe.16493$k22.12458@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, alt.usage.english, Usenet


acraspeda

It may be that the pelagic habit of the acraspeda is secondary, and while the polyps, the craspedota and the acraspeda have unquestionably had a common starting point in a free pelagic ancestor, it is quite possible that […]

1893, William Keith Brooks, Salpa in Its Relation to the Evolution of Life, page 202:

(zoology) A group of acalephs that includes most of the larger jellyfish


bushlips

From Bush + lips, alludes to pledge "Read my lips: no new taxes" by then-U.S. President George H. W. Bush.

"As one of our colleagues recently put it, this Republican pledge of no new taxes is pure Bushlips," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lloyd Bentsen (Tex.), said in the toughest language he has used to attack the administration's fiscal policy. "It's Bushlips when the president says 'No new taxes' and sends a budget requiring the Finance Committee to raise $20 billion in new revenues: $15 billion in taxes and $5 billion in user fees."

1990 March 24, Paul Taylor, “Democratic Leaders Talk Tough on Taxes;President's Promise Not to Impose New Levies Is 'Pure Bushlips,' Sen. Bentsen Declares”, in The Washington Post^(http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72577580.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+24%2C+1990&author=Paul+Taylor&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=a.06&desc=Democratic+Leaders+Talk+Tough+on+Taxes%3BPresident%27s+Promise+Not+to+Impose+New+Levies+Is+%60Pure+Bushlips%2C%27+Sen.+Bentsen+Declares), →ISSN, page A6:

I'm trying to avoid doing the 'Bushlips' stuff (about blocking tax increases). By saying it's not part of our thinking and planning, I'm obviously not saying it won't occur at all.

1990 September 18, Associated Press, quoting Booth Gardner, “Gardner Hoping For No New Taxes”, in The Spokesman-Review, page B1:

Bushlips!

1999 May 20, Bucky, “Re: Ballot box whores (Was:Take away all guns NOW)”, in alt.current-events.clinton (Usenet), message-ID <7i1s5g$s8g$1@garnet.mint.net>:

Anything short of that is just a lot of Bushlips.

2002 March 4, The Angry Liberal, “Social Security Reform, Part I: Bush is Lost in Des Moines”, in BuzzFlash.com, archived from the original on 2012-07-30:

(politics, frequently capitalized, dated) insincere political rhetoric

George H. W. Bush
Read my lips: no new taxes


commemorabilia

By the time the wedding date rolled around on July 29, 1981, her face and his were on most of the 971 "items of commemorabilia" that somebody counted for sale across the country.

1997 September 7, “Fairy-Tale Princess”, in St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Items created especially to honour or memorialize something, particularly an event, person, or institution.


SEP

evoked potential
evoked potential#English

(medicine) Initialism of sensory evoked potential.

Surrendered Enemy Personnel
w:Surrendered Enemy Personnel

(UK, military) Initialism of Surrendered Enemy Personnel.


SEP

solar energetic particles
solar energetic particles#English

(astronomy) Initialism of solar energetic particles.


love goggles

I've heard it put this way; they "wear love goggles". This means that this person you are falling in love with must be Mr. or Miss. Right.

2009, Paul T. Backlund, As Long as We Both Shall Give, page 58:

When you're several years into your relationship, the love goggles may come off, but they're replaced by new lenses that reveal another, fuller picture of your relationship.

2011, Andrea Syrtash, Cheat On Your Husband (with Your Husband): How to Date Your Spouse, page 11:

I had had love goggles on for many years, thinking that I wanted to marry Dennis and be a part of his family.

2011, Jennifer Thomas, Moving Forward: A True Inspirational Story of a Teen Mom, page 103:

(idiomatic, informal, plural only) Blindness to criticism or objectivity directed at a person with whom one is in love.

rosarote Brille

blindness to criticism or objectivity directed at a person that one is in love with


cliterati

Its first meeting, held at Eve Ensler's apartment, was a who's who, as Cuomo puts it, of "the New York cliterati," including Urvashi Vaid, Laura Flanders, Sarah Schulman and other notables.

2004, Laura Flanders, The W effect: Bush's war on women, Feminist Press at the City University of New York, page 248:

Significant figures in the feminism movements.


marching ants

From the ant-like appearance of the moving dots.

graphical user interface
graphical user interface

(computing, graphical user interface) An animated dotted line indicating which portion of an image is currently selected.


gamashes

(Scotland) Short spatterdashes or riding trousers, worn over the other clothing.


roughings

(UK, dialect) rowen; a second crop of hay


shortclothes

Shortclothes were worn with long stockings.

(dated or historical) A covering for the legs of men or boys, consisting of trousers which reach to the knees, similar to modern-day shorts.


Tehuelche

From Mapudungun, meaning "fierce people".

A nearly extinct Chonan language spoken in Patagonia.


corpora arenacea

From Latin corpora, nominative neuter plural of corpus (“body”), + arēnācea, nominative neuter plural of arēnāceus (“sandy”).

(anatomy) Calcified structures in the pineal gland and other areas of the brain such as the choroid plexus.


chromatics

From chromatic + -s (suffix forming pluralia tantum).

suffix

(optics) The science of colours; the branch of optics that deals with the properties of colours.


zoophaga

New Latin, from Ancient Greek ζῷον (zôion, “animal”) + φαγεῖν (phageîn, “to eat”)

(zoology) An artificial group comprising various carnivorous and insectivorous animals.


lemures

Coordinate term: Lares

The Lars and Lemures moan with midnight plaint.

1629, John Milton, “On the Morning of Christs Nativity”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC:

So still lay the figure, and so dim was its outline, that any other than Arbaces might have felt a superstitious fear, lest he beheld one of those grim lemures, who, above all other spots, haunted the threshold of the homes they formerly possessed.

1834, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter VII, in The Last Days of Pompeii. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […]; successor to Henry Colburn, →OCLC, book IV, page 13:

(Roman mythology) The spirits or ghosts of the dead, considered as malignant.


fat pants

While I was pregnant, I wore my fat pants most of the time.

(slang) Relatively large or stretchy pants (trousers) that are comfortable even when smaller pairs would feel tight.


Wik

Any of their various languages, belonging to the Paman language family.


sun-darts

Like sun-darts wing'd from the silver bow,
They smote the spear and the turban'd brow […]

1823, Felicia Hemans, The Storm of Delphi And the lightnings in their play Flash'd forth, like javelins thrown


servants' quarters

mother-in-law apartment
mother-in-law apartment

A mother-in-law apartment or garden apartment used for in-house employees


smart quotes

(computing, typography) Curly quotes automatically inserted into text as a replacement for the straight quotes typed by the user.


Ghawazi

From Arabic غَوَازِي (ḡawāzī) (singular غَازِيَة (ḡāziya)) meaning "conqueror", i.e. conquering the hearts of the audience.

bor

Arabic غَوَازِي (ḡawāzī)

A group of Egyptian dancing girls of the Nawar people, whose suggestive dancing was seen as improper.


bona peritura

he Sale of the Goods was good, as bona peritura

1722, Charles Molloy, De Jure Maritimo Et Navali:


Arabian goggles

MOOJ: It's not about these rusty trombone, and dirty Sanchez. It's not about rainbow showers and camel-toe slide, and your Cincinnati bowtie, your Arabian goggles or the hot Karl and pearl necklace, or pussy juice cocktails, and the jagged-head dildos, and the double-decker pussies.
ANDY: (scared) OK. I, y'know, double pussies and--
MOOJ: Shit stained balls, and cum swapping, and the hanging brain, it's not about the rattlesnake wiggle, and the alligator fuck house, donkey-punching, the teabagging—
ANDY: Mooj, just please stop.

2005 August 19, Judd Apatow, Steve Carell, directed by Judd Apatow, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, spoken by Mooj and Andy (Gerry Bednob and Steve Carell):

I remember how you threatened me
with Arabian goggles if I passed out on you
but that when we got home
you were drunker than I
and asleep on the toilet
unable to frig altogether.

2006, Ryan Quinn Flanagan, Pigeon Theatre, Lulu, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 92:

Would you rather ... be donkey-punched by John Madden OR receive Arabian Goggles From the WWE's Mark Henry?

2010 November 1, Justin Heimberg with David Gomberg, Would You Rather...? Ultimate SEX Edition: Over 700 Ludicrously Lustful Dilemmas to Ponder, Seven Footer Press, →ISBN, page 188:

(plural only, slang) A sexual act of settling testicles in a person's eye sockets.


giambeux

The mortall steele despiteously entayld
Deepe in their flesh, quite through the yron walles,
That a large purple streame adown their giambeux falles

1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

Obsolete form of jambeaux, plural of jambeau


trofie

A type of short, twisted pasta from Liguria


moonrunes

From moon + runes. Apparently coined based from moonspeak, an anime reference (of which see there), ultimately associating East Asian languages with celestial levels of foreignness.

Can anyone here read moonrunes?

I'm still learning moonrunes.

This imported box of Pocky is covered in moonrunes; I can barely read it.

(Internet slang, sometimes derogatory, sometimes humorous) An incomprehensible writing script, or the language associated with it, usually referring to Japanese, but may also refer to Chinese, Korean and other East Asian writing scripts.


Hmar

A tribal people from Northeast India who belong to Chin-Kuki-Mizo /Zo people.


Faihriem

Faihriem have altogether 13 subclans. They are Saivate, Tuollai, Bapui, Tuimuol, Khawlum, Khawkhieng, Khawreng, Sekong, Seiling, Thlanghnung, Salhmar, […].

1992, Vijay Prakash Sharma, The Hmars of Manipur: an anthropological exploration, page 18:

The Hmar are divided into several clans, like Khawbung, Lungtau, Leiri, Zote, Ngurte, Khelte, Khawlhring and Faihriem; these are again divided into a number of lineages.

1998, India's Communities, volume 4 (edited by Kumar Suresh Singh of the Anthropological Survey of India)

[…] 21 clans. They are Biete, Changsan, Chawrai, Darngawn, Faihriem, […] and Zote. The past tradition suggests that each clan had a dialect of its own but nowadays a common dialect used by the Hmar people was developed by Christian missionaries.

1999, Robin D. Tribhuwan, Preeti R. Tribhuwan, “Tribal dances of India”, in Encyclopaedic profile of Indian tribes, volume 1, page 117:

A clan of the Hmar tribal people of Assam, members of which speak a dialect of the Hmar language (a Tibeto-Burman language).


diadochi

The diadochi not only continued to propagate the typological portrait of Alexander, they also commissioned such portraits themselves.

1982, Bernard Frischer, The Sculpted Word: Epicureanism and Philosophical Recruitment in Ancient Greece, University of California Press, page 271:

To be sure, one would have expected some wrangling about the diadochi, perhaps even a hard confrontation between party bosses and military leaders, but beerhall battles and street fighting, as in the days of the Weimar Republic, were scarcely to be expected.

1993, Alexander Demandt, translated by Colin D. Thompson, History that Never Happened: A Treatise on the Question, what Would Have Happened If...?, McFarland, page 108:

If you were to follow the wars of the diadochi, Alexander’s generals, after the death of Alexander the great, then the northern kingdom later becomes Syria only.

2011, Z. Richard Sawan, M. D., Revelation and the Mark of the Beast, Author Press, page 119:

Alternative letter-case form of Diadochi


ingesta

Material introduced into the body by the stomach or alimentary canal.


double digits

A number composed of two digits, i.e. between 10 and 99.


double figures

The winger reached double figures for the season with a clinical hat-trick to send Claudio Ranieri’s team back to the top of the tree, strengthening their case to be this year’s Christmas No 1.

2015 December 5, Alan Smith, “Leicester City back on top as Riyad Mahrez hat-trick downs Swansea City”, in The Guardian (London):

(of a number) composed of two digits, i.e. between 10 and 99.


raccoon eyes

From raccoon + eyes, in reference to the colour surrounding the eyes of raccoons.

Alternative form: coon eyes

(idiomatic, informal) The state of the orbits of the eyes (especially the undereye region) having a bluish-purplish coloration.


niggerlips

en-noun

niggerlips (countable and uncountable, plural niggerlips)

From nigger + lips, in reference to the stereotype that black people have large lips.

From the hoardings Mr Eugene Stratton grinned with thick niggerlips at Father Conmee.

2016 January 17 [1922 February 2], James Joyce, ULYSSES (Modern Classics Series), e-artnow, →ISBN:

Fuck off and take your niggerlips with you.

2005 April 4, Bateau, “T'Pol in a bikini”, in alt.tv.star-trek.enterprise (Usenet):

Hey, do you have any Ubangis in your family? Do old people with lip plates
have trouble keeping them in as they age & get all saggy & stuff? Man, I'd
hate to have a granny with floppy, wrinkled up niggerlips. Ugh.

2006 May 19, Dr. Lily White, “Kenya cuts dependence on donors”, in soc.culture.african.american (Usenet):

Seka smudged little boys' penises using her niggerlips, and niggerlips was a thing which went around, it was inversely goading antiblackism.

2012 August 13, Jason Hurlburt, Cold Blood, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN:

And, if it's even possible, he lies more than normal niggers; who lie every time
their niggerlips move. That's hard to top, but our Head Nigger in Charge and Liar in
Chief did it. So, at least he accomplished something besides failure.

2014 February 15, Reb Biker, “Good Morning niggers!”, in alt.flame.cincinnati (Usenet):

(plural only, offensive, ethnic slur) Lips of a black person.

He was like "Fuck you,
niggerlips...you can come along if you suck all of our dicks on a daily
basis."

1997 September 30, KarJacka, “I'm going on tour with Ink & Dagger”, in alt.music.hardcore (Usenet):

Ruth ran into Sternsen in New York in 1930 and said to him, "Now don't you
call me Niggerlips, or I'll break your arm."

2000 August 16, Steve Cutchen, “First black major leaguer: Babe Ruth”, in rec.sport.baseball (Usenet):

so you want your teacher to talk about niggerlips - and you think your
boyfriend is immature? so you want your boyfriend to hang out in trees
masturbating and you think your boyfriend is immature?

2005 September 10, Susan, “OT: Go fuck yourself, Mr. Cheney!”, in rec.gambling.poker (Usenet):

Brad Shitt and Niggerlips Jolie are going there for their honeymoon !

2006 March 4, Niggercrusher, “Re: AND YOU ARE PROUD OF THESE FUCKING DUNCES???????”, in alt.rap (Usenet):

(plural only, offensive, ethnic slur, synecdochically) A person, especially a black person, with large lips.


oneties

From one + -ties (“plural of -ty”), in imitation of the names of other decades (twenties, thirties, etc).

Our readers — and contributors — are apt to elect a good deal according to years. The seventies and eighties, we may suppose, are concerned for the large educational and cultural interests of their Alma Mater; the nineties are deep in the practical and business activities; the noughties are not naughty, but still young enough to sport a fantastic costume at reunion and let the college wag as it will; the oneties are the really wise as to what the college ought to be, especially on its athletic side, but as contributors modest.

1914, Amherst College, “Amherst graduates' quarterly”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), volume 4, page 6:

Marking its thirty-fifth anniversary, the Class of 1910 University College, first of the "Oneties", held its seventh five-yearly reunion and the third under wartime conditions, during Commencement week.

1945, Alumni association, University of Toronto, “University of Toronto monthly”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), volume 45, number 9, page 232:

(nonce word) The second decade of a century: the 1910s, the 2010s, etc. The tens.

teens · twenties · thirties · forties · fifties · sixties · seventies · eighties · nineties

Gay Nineties · Naughty Nineties · Roaring Twenties · Dirty Thirties · Swinging Sixties


McAlpine's Fusiliers

After Sir Robert McAlpine, a major employer of Irish workmen, and (possibly) the military appearance of a group of men with shovels over their shoulders.

He'd left his homeland at fifteen, seeking his fortune on the motorways of Britain with McAlpine's Fusiliers before migrating to Sydney.

2006, Kevin Noble, Baghdad Trucker, Durham: Northern Writers, page 92:

(Ireland, UK, informal) The Irish immigrant labour force in Britain in the early 20th century.


hanselines

The old tunic, over-tunic, and cyclas were too sad and simple for the new fashions, so now strange and brilliant cote-hardies, pourpoints, courtepies, paltocks, hanselines, and many other wondrous garments, party-coloured or diapered, with looped, embroidered or escalloped edges, flamed and glittered round the king.

1905–1906, Arthur Conan Doyle, “How the King Greeted His Seneschal of Calais”, in Sir Nigel, London: Smith, Elder & Co., […], published January 1906, →OCLC, page 115:

(historical, obsolete) A sort of men's breeches


interscapulars

(zoology) The interscapular feathers of a bird.


rainpants

Waterproof pants to protect the wearer from rain.


breweriana

Breweriana includes beer cans, bottles, openers, coasters, beer trays, wooden cases and neon signs.

Collectable items associated with a brewery or one of its brands.


Bouches-du-Rhône

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur#English

One of the departments in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France; located in the historical region and province of Provence. Capital: Marseille.


Calusa

A Native American people who lived on Florida's southwest coast and along its inner waterways.


racial spoils

The State Senate recently voted to adopt a racial spoils system whereby at least 25% of construction contracts must be awarded to minority-owned businesses.

Ricci [v. DeStefano] may be the rock upon which America's racial spoils system finally founders.

2009, George F. Will, “The Wreck of the Racial Spoils System”, in The Washington Post:

(US, politics, derogatory) Preferential treatment of minorities in source selection for government contracts.


parapherna

From Late Latin parapherna, from Ancient Greek παράφερνα (parápherna, “things additional to a dowry”), from παρα- (para-, “beside”) + φερνή (phernḗ, “dowry”). In the propertied classes, a dowry was placed under the control of the husband, while the 'paraphernalia' which she brought with her remained the wife’s property.

der

(law, historical, Ancient Rome) A woman's property which was not made a part of her marriage dower but remained her own.


fallals

… her ornaments were the biggest; her hats, toques, berets, marabouts, and other fallals, always the most conspicuous.

1852, William Makepeace Thackeray, Mens Wives, HTML edition, University of Adelaide, published 2006, archived from the original on 2012-04-08:

(colloquial, dated) ornaments; trinkets; frippery


fantoccini

From Italian [Term?], diminutive from fante (“child”).

The puppet shows in which they are used.


induviae

From Latin induviae (“clothes”), from induō (“I put on”). See indue.

(botany) leaves which do not disarticulate from the stem, and hence remain for a long time


archierey

Borrowed from Russian архиере́й (arxijeréj), from Ancient Greek.

the eparchial archiereys, under whose authority the schools

1802, Charles François Philibert Masson, Secret Memoirs of the Court of Petersburg:

(ecclesiastical) The higher order of clergy in Russia, including metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops.


Zhou

From the pinyin romanization of the Chinese 周 (Zhōu). Doublet of Chau.

Various regions of ancient China occupied by this people, including the Fen and Wei valleys

A dynasty of rulers over this people, who conquered the Shang kingdom and nominally ruled China until their conquest by Qin in the 3rd century BC

The valley of the Luo and Yi Rivers during the Eastern Zhou dynasty

The short-lived dynasty declared by Wu Zetian during the Tang


lacrimae rerum

lăʹkrĭmī rāʹrəm

/ˈlækɹɪmaɪ ˈɹeɪɹəm/

An allusion to Virgil’s Aeneid (29–19 BC), book I, line 462; Latin: lacrimae (“tears”, the nominative plural form of lacrima, “tear”) + rērum (“of things”, the genitive plural form of rēs, “thing”) = “tears of things”.

Louis Macneice in a note on Eliot and the Adolescent remarks that “anyhow lacrimae rerum are not a monopoly of the mature adult.” Indeed the lacrimae rerum of the adolescent are likely to be far more bitter and consuming than those of the mature adult learning to care and not to care.

1993, Robert D. Hamner, Critical perspectives on Derek Walcott, →ISBN, page 101:

So too is Byles's depiction of Brooke feeling the weight of lacrimae rerum as he looks from the deck of his ship towards the unknown lands in which he will indeed lie buried, and realizes that his duty to his country requires the renunciation of his personal dreams for the future.

2010, Elizabeth Vandiver, Stand in the Trench, Achilles, →ISBN, page 375:

(rare) The “tears of things”; the inherent tragedy of existence.

lachrymae rerum

conforming to the usual spellings of related English words, such as lachrymal and lachrymose


ladies' eardrops

The small-flowered fuchsia (Fuchsia coccinea)


flower sticks

en-noun

flower sticks pl (normally plural, singular flower stick)

As the flower sticks were not the best known of juggling items, this was fast becoming the thing which Len could make his own.

2010, Peter Cooper, April's Fools, page 68:

A set of two hand sticks and a third, softer, high-grip flower stick used for juggling.


boneless lean beef trimmings

boneless lean beef trimmings pl (plural only)

2003, Dickson et al, Impact of pH enhancement on populations of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli Ol57:H7 in boneless lean beef trimmings, in Food Protection Trends, volume 25 (2005), page 21 http://books.google.com/books?id=5UQsAQAAMAAJ&q=%22boneless+lean+beef+trimmings%22&dq=%22boneless+lean+beef+trimmings%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=kSCHT7GuFZGm8QT31OGfCA&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAw

Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings are lean and flavorful ingredients that are essential to processing a range of lean, high-quality, and cost- effective products that millions of Americans consume every day.

2006, Food engineering, volume 78, page 94:

Lean finely textured beef
lean finely textured beef#English

(meat industry, US) Lean finely textured beef.


chirping chips

As I got the pile in front of Oakley, I prayed he would just take the chips and shut up. But nope, in poker there is a thing called chirping chips. Whenever a player wins a big pot, especially by luck, they tend to try to justify it to everyone.

(poker slang) Chips that a player has won that make him or her more talkative at the table.


Senones

Via Latin from Ancient Greek Σήνωνες (Sḗnōnes), originally the capital of the Gaulish people of the same name.


Rai

Indian/Hindi surname, from a personal name based on the noun राजा (rājā, “king”).

A surname from India found among people from northern India and coastal Karnataka.


Macushi

Their language, which has between 20000 and 30000 speakers, and is in the Cariban family.


bachelry

From Middle English bachelrie, from Old French bachelerie.

(obsolete or historical) Collectively, aspiring knights.


Angami

A Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Naga Hills in the northeastern part of India.


Pucikwar

(chiefly historical) An indigenous Great Andamanese people of the Andaman Islands, one of the ten or so distinct tribes which existed when British colonisation began in the 1860s and which disintegrated because of that colonisation.


Pucikwar

The A-Pucikwar language spoken by these people.


A-Pucikwar

From A-Pucikwar a- (prefix used on words relating to the mouth) + Pucikwar.

der

The now-extinct language spoken by the Pucikwar people.


premices

From French prémices, Latin primitiae. See primitia.

a charger, or large platter, was yearly filled with all sorts of fruits, which were offered to the gods at their festivals, as the premices, or first gatherings .


pinionists

He sung the outrage of the lazy drone
Upon the lab'ring bee, in strains so rare,
That all the flitting pinionists of air
Attentive sat, and in their kinds did long
To learn some note from his well-timed song.

1613, William Browne, Britannia's Pastorals:


pettitoes

The two caps, reflected on the window-blind, were the respective head-dresses of a couple of Mrs. Bardell's most particular acquaintance, who had just stepped in, to have a quiet cup of tea, and a little warm supper of a couple of sets of pettitoes and some toasted cheese. The cheese was simmering and browning away, most delightfully, in a little Dutch oven before the fire; the pettitoes were getting on deliciously in a little tin saucepan on the hob

1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “Which Contains a Brief Account of the Progress of the Action of Bardell Against Pickwick”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC:

(archaic) pig's trotter, especially as food.


Lepcha

Lepcha language
Lepcha people
Lepcha script

Their language, a Himalayish language in the Sino-Tibetan family, spoken by about 30000-50000 people.


poor knights of Windsor

en-noun

poor knights of Windsor pl (plural only)


antiae

antiae pl (normally plural, singular antia)

Borrowed from Latin antiae (“forelock”).

(zoology) The two projecting feathered angles of the forehead of some birds; the frontal points.


Vengo

Their language, also known as Babungo, in the Benue-Congo family, with 14000-27000 speakers.


entz

A humorous respelling of ents, itself a contraction of entertainments.

(Oxford University slang) Social and entertainment events provided for the students.


autumn years

autumn years pl (normally plural, singular autumn year)

(literary) The later years of one's life, especially after one has finished one's career.


cetacea

Of cetacea, or whale-like mammals, sixty-five; ruminantia, or cud-chewers, one hundred and seventy-seven; pachydermata, or thick-skinned mammals, such as the horse, hog, and elephant, forty-one; edentata, like the sloth and ant-eater, thirty-five; rodentia, or gnawers, such as the rat, squirrel, and beaver, six hundred and seventeen; carnivora, or flesh-eaters, four hundred and forty-six; cheiroptera, or bats, three hundred and twenty-eight; quadrumana, or monkeys, two hundred and twenty-one; and marsupialia, or pouched mammals, like the opossum and kangaroo, one hundred and thirty-seven.

1882, William Denton, The Deluge in the Light of Modern Science:

But here we give no such extracts, but content ourselves with four short skits, having the cetacea for their subject.

--Acalephae[1] are plentiful, so much so, indeed, that they occasionally tempt the larger cetacea into the Gulf of Manaar.

1861, J. Emerson Tennent, Sketches of Natural History of Ceylon:

PORPOISES AT MORETON BAY. Among the marine animals of Moreton Bay are two cetacea of great interest.

1852, John MacGillivray, Narrative Of The Voyage Of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By The Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During The Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries And Surveys In New Guinea, The Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. To Which Is Added The Account Of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition For The Exploration Of The Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist To The Expedition. In Two Volumes. Volume 1.:


chaparejos

In the store the long shelves upon one side held dry-goods, while upon the opposite shelves a miscellany of groceries was displayed; toward the rear was the storekeeper's assortment of hardware near a counter piled high with sweaters, boots, chaparejos, all jumbled hopelessly.

To protect our legs we wore over the trousers heavy leather chaparejos, sometimes of bear or buffalo hide.

1911, Thomas Carson, Ranching, Sport and Travel:

Lean, wiry, bronzed men, their legs cased in leather chaparejos, with small boots, high heels, and great spurs, they were, despite their loose, slouchy seat, the best rough-riders in the world.

1910, Edgar Beecher Bronson, The Red-Blooded Heroes of the Frontier:

What he saw was a tall slim young man, in chaparejos and sombrero, the inevitable "repeater" at his hip, solitarily engaged in the process of breaking a bronco.


Melanochroi

Coined by Thomas Henry Huxley; see melanochroic.

(anthropology, dated) A division of the human population, consisting of the darker-skinned among the white races.


feazings

(nautical) The unlaid or ragged end of a rope.


Gcwi

[…] about 12000 speakers; Gcwi and Gxana (Botswana), with about 6000 speakers; the Zhu language (Namibia and Botswana), with about 11000 speakers; […]

1997, Encyclopedia of Africa south of the Sahara (John Middleton), volume 2


Joe Blakes

I've had enough, mate. A bloody man is starting to get the Joe Blakes and the dry retches and if a man keeps this up I'm sure to finish in the rat house with the DTs at this rate.

1998, Keith B. Saunders, Myall Road, page 91:

(Australia, rhyming slang) The shakes; delirium tremens.


esplees

From Latin expletia, Old French espleit. Compare exploit.

in a writ of Eſchete, in a writ of right ſur diſclaimer, and ſuch like, which are founded vpon the ſeigniory, and not vpon any ſeiſin of the land it ſelfe, no eſplees ſhall be alledged

1627, Henry Finch, Lavv: Or, A Discovrse Thereof, in Foure Bookes:

(law, UK, obsolete) The full profits or products yielded by land, such as hay, pasturage, grain, rents, services, and the like.


Antilegomena

From Ancient Greek ἀντιλεγόμενα (antilegómena), from ἀντι- (anti-, “against”) + λέγω (légō, “to speak”).

der

ἀντιλεγόμενα

(Christianity) Certain books of the New Testament which were for a time not universally received, but which are now considered canonical.

antilegomena

books of the New Testament which were formerly not universally considered canonical


Dionysia

From Ancient Greek Διονῡ́σια n pl (Dionū́sia), from Διόνῡσος (Diónūsos, “Dionysus”).

The greater Dionysia were held at Athens in March or April, and were celebrated with elaborate performances of tragedies and comedies.

(historical) Any of the ancient festivals held in honour of the Olympian god Dionysus, and corresponding to the Roman Bacchanalia.


epipodialia

(anatomy, obsolete) The bones of either the forearm or shank: the radius, ulna, tibia, and fibula.


Isan

From Thai อีสาน (ii-sǎan) (same in Isan), claimed to be from Sanskrit ईशान (īśāna, “Shiva of the northeast”).

A large region in northeastern Thailand, on the Khorat Plateau.

The language of the Isan people (between Lao and Thai, and sometimes considered a dialect of Lao, although it is written in Thai script).


Isan

The ethnic Lao people who have traditionally lived in Isan.


Isan

Of, from, or pertaining to Isan, the Isan people or the Isan language.


pajamahadeen

Blend of pajamas + mujahadeen, from the notion that bloggers write at home in pajamas.

Stay home in your pajamas, oh fellow member of the pajamahadeen.

2012, John Biggs, Charlie White, Bloggers Boot Camp: Learning How to Build, Write, and Run a Successful Blog, Focal Press, →ISBN, page 188:


moirai

(Greek mythology) The three Fates, personifications of destiny.


shutter shades

From the trademarked name of a brand of sunglasses created by Shutter Shades, Inc., in 2007. Similar louvered/slatted sunglasses which existed as early as the 1950s and were popular in the 1980s were known by other names, such as "Venetian blinders".

"Never trust anything you read online," Tanya said, pushing up her shutter shades.

2012, Alec Nevala-Lee, The Icon Thief, Signet, →ISBN:

A style of sunglasses which have frames containing horizontal slats as opposed to tinted lenses.


tracheobranchiae

(zoology) The gill-like breathing organs of certain aquatic insect larvae. They contain tracheal tubes somewhat similar to those of other insects.


mallenders

1831-1850, William Youatt, On the Structure and the Diseases of the Horse
there is occasionally a surfy eruption, called mallenders in the fore-leg, and sallenders in the hindleg


Ugandan discussions

Now that Andy has dispensed with her services, Grovel can reveal that the former soft-porn star was enjoying Ugandan discussions in St Moritz last Christmas with Lome Thyssen, 20-year-old son of the multi-millionaire steel tycoon Baron Heini Thyssen.

1983, Private Eye, numbers 550-575, page 215:

A letter came back on Department of Education notepaper. "Very sorry I can't do lunch. I am usually engaged in Ugandan discussions at lunchtime. I will be happy to see you in the evening."

2009, Ion Trewin, Alan Clark: The Biography, →ISBN:

Boys make gay jokes about most other boys, without any implication that any genuine Ugandan discussions take place.

2010, Tom Bennett, The Behaviour Guru: Behaviour Management Solutions for Teachers, →ISBN, page 164:

(UK, euphemistic, humorous) Sexual intercourse.


exoterics

/ˌɛksəˈtɛɹɪks/

From exoteric (adjective) + -s (suffix forming pluralia tantum; and regular plurals of nouns).

suffix

Doctrines, knowledge, or works which are exoteric (“suitable to be imparted to the public without secrecy or other reservations; capable of being fully or readily comprehended by the public”).


sigillaria

Any of the genus Sigillaria of fossil trees principally found in the coal formation, with seal-like leaf scars in vertical rows on the surface.


guarded rights

At the time, persons thought that if the fledgling government designed an exclusive list of guarded rights, then whatever rights were not on the list would be compromised by the authorities.

The Loophole In Guarded Rights

1952, L. Ron Hubbard, Journal of Scientology Issue 4-G, Hubbard Association of Scientologists Inc., page 1

Those rights laid down by a constitution as being guaranteed to all individuals in the society; human rights.


Greek fries

(US) fries served with cheese, herbs, and lemon


emo bangs

He was supercute, with emo bangs over one eye and a hint of guyliner that would've sent my heart aflutter not too long ago.

2011, Megan Hart, Collide, Spice Books, →ISBN:

Bangs swept down over the forehead which hang in or cover at least one eye.


rheumides

(medicine) The class of skin disease developed by the dartrous diathesis.


social skills

Coordinate term: technical skills

The personal skills needed for successful social communication and interaction.

sosiaaliset taidot

personal skills of social communication and interaction


scobs

From Latin scobs, or scobis, from scabere (“to scrape”).

This was so much the case in antient times that the floor of the dining room was generally covered with scobs or sawdust to absorb what Seneca calls the purgamenta et jactus cænantium, the “excretions and discharges of the guests." The scobs became at length a point of luxury. Heliogabalus ordered the portico to be strewed in lieu of scobs with gold and silver dust, and lamented that he could not find amber enough for that purpose.

1766, Tobias Smollett, Travels Through France and Italy:

Dump your wet scobs in the trash barrel, replace your dust pan, hand broom and #10 can.

2012, Robert Colacurcio, The Education of Grandpa Bobar: In Pursuit of Excellence, page 29:

On our knees we began by sprinkling “scobs” (lightly oiled sawdust) on a cement stair, then with a hand broom, sweeping those scobs down to the next stair, until we got to the bottom.

2012, J. Richard Murray, Seen and Unseen Worlds: Private Memoirs of a Former Jesuit, page 37:

The Uncles Brickell, Swarfega kings, enseamed with swarf and scobs, skin measled with gunmetal but glistening faintly, loud in the smoke.

2014, John Goodby, “The Uncles”, in Songs of Ourselves, page 27:

Raspings of wood, ivory, hartshorn, metals, or other hard substance.


laudits

From Latin laudite, second-person plural imperative of laudere (“to praise”).

1997 July 6, Kathleen Parrish, “Award-winning Teacher Generous With Laudits”, in The Morning Call:

2008 December 20, “Obama takes a break after cabinet laudits”, in Bangladesh News:

thanks, particularly when publicly given


clayes

(obsolete) wattles or hurdles made with stakes interwoven with osiers, to cover lodgments


diminishing returns

Brüno was a case of diminishing returns, intermittently amusing but not nearly as bracing or funny as Borat—it didn’t help that Brüno was the most thinly conceived of all his Da Ali G Show characters—and the lead-up to Baron Cohen’s new comedy, The Dictator, made it look like he’d boxed himself into a corner.

2012 May 15, Scott Tobias, “Film: Reviews: The Dictator”, in The Onion AV Club:

He added, however, that the system operator is unlikely to use the cellphone alert often, lest Californians start to ignore it. The governor agreed that diminishing returns were a risk.

2022 September 7, Jill Cowan, Shawn Hubler, Ivan Penn, “California Leaders Credit Cellphone Alert for Sudden Conservation”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

(idiomatic) A condition in which additional inputs into an organization, project or process produce progressively fewer or lower-quality additional outputs, and may, in extreme cases, cause the total quantity or quality of outputs to decrease.


weather pains

(medicine) osseous pain claimed to be caused by changes in barometric pressure


fabes con amasueles

From Asturian fabes con amasueles (“beans with clams”).

bor

A dish from Asturias, made of white beans and clams.


snuggies

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-snuggies.wav

Bring your snuggies when visiting Yellowstone Country in any season. Just because it's July doesn't mean you can leave your longjohns, sweatshirts and windbreakers at home.

2000, Genevieve Rowles, Adventure Guide to Montana:

Not because of her totally fleshless legs, but because she was wearing red snuggies when it was actually pretty hot weather. Lina partly lowered the snuggies and extracted a quart of Spur.

Hilda said, "Wait, you don't mind, I want to pick up a few pairs of snuggies, it's getting miserably cold, I won't have to come back ..."

1960, Ann Abelson, The little conquerors:

A type of tight-fitting knitted thermal underwear.


scybala

From Ancient Greek σκύβαλα (skúbala), plural of σκύβαλον (skúbalon).


skin signs

Assess pulse, blood pressure, and skin signs.

2010, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Emergency Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured, 10th Edition, page 1256

(medicine) A component of vital signs based on the color, temperature, and moisture of a patient's epidermis.


lung fields

You auscultate her lung sounds and hear scattered wheezing in all lung fields.

2010, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Emergency Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured, 10th Edition, page 494

The pleural apices and bases of lungs used to auscultate for the lung sound component of vital signs.


tops-and-bottoms

'Tis said her tops-and-bottoms were gilt.

c. 1843, Thomas Hood, Miss Kilmansegg and her Precious Egg:

(archaic) Small rolls of dough, baked, cut in half, and browned in an oven. In 19th century Britain they were used as food for children.


five-twenties

(historical) Five-twenty bonds of the United States (bearing six per cent interest), issued in 1862, '64, and '65, redeemable after five and payable in twenty years.


sixes and nines

From the appearance like the numerals 6 and 9.

(informal) Curly quotation marks, as opposed to straight quotes.


cosmozoa

hypothetical seeds or spores that led to the beginning of life, said to have reached Earth through space


testrionics

From testes, masculinizing histrionics as though it were derived from Ancient Greek ὑστερικός (husterikós, “suffering in the uterus”) (like hysterical into testerical), though it actually derives from histriōnicus (“pertaining to acting”).

cog

I'd suggest that any "testrionics" are more about men who fear homosexuailty than about feminists who do not seem to fear such.

2004 March 16, Hyerdahl1, “Re: Are boys disadvantaged by having women teachers?”, in soc.men (Usenet), message-ID <20040316103242.19482.00001656@mb-m16.aol.com>:

The cop is a nice, fair guy, and he loves and respects his attorney wife - no macho testrionics there.

2006 April 15, P. Feeney, “Disturbingly close to home”, in Amazon.com:

They can't help their testronics.

2008 April 2, Heidi Graw, “Re: The (H)Risen Christ”, in sci.lang (Usenet), message-ID <GpNIj.15137$pb5.7571@edtnps89>:

histrionic displays, especially of machismo or male chauvinism


lolzies

Nonstandard pluralization of LOL, perhaps inspired by lulz.


lolsies

From lol + -sies; a nonstandard pluralization of lol, perhaps inspired by lulz.


LOLsies

(plural only) Alternative form of lolsies


thermae

From Latin thermae, plural of therma. See thermal.

The Greeks and Romans constructed in their homes special sun parlors (called helioses or thermae).

1933, Frank Hammond Krusen, Light Therapy, page 4:

Roman-style spring or baths with warm or hot water.


bouts-rimés

(dated) A game in which someone is given rhyming words as the ends of verses of a poem, which need to be filled out.


gurgeons

/ˈɡɜː(ɹ)d͡ʒənz/

/ˈɡɜː(ɹ)d͡ʒɪnz/

Probably borrowed from Middle French grugeon (“sugar lump”), from grugier (“to laugh”).

bor+

The raueled cheat therfore is generallie ſo made that out of one buſhell of meale, after two and twentie pounds of bran be ſifted and taken from it (wherevnto they ad the gurgeons that riſe from the manchet) they make thirtie cast, euerie lofe weighing eightéene ounces into the ouen and ſixteene ounces out[…]

1587, Raphaell Holinshed, Iohn Hooker, “Of the food and diet of the Engliſh”, in The firſt and ſecond volumes of Chronicles […] , volume I, London: Henry Denham, page 169:

You that can deal with Gudgins^([sic]), and courſe floure, / 'Tis pitie you ſhould taſte what manchet means[…]

1623 (first performance), John Fletcher, William Rowley, “The Maid in the Mill”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act III, scene ii, page 12, column 1:

Where by the way note, that loaves made of pure Wheaten Meal require both more Leaven and more labouring, and more baking than either coarſe Cheat or than Bread Mingled of Meal and Grudgins.

1746, Thomas Moffett, Christopher Bennet, Health's Improvement […] , London: T. Oſborne, page 339:


acra

From Ancient Greek ἀ̆κρᾰ (akra), probably back-formed from German Akren as this is more easily encountered and even the English is most likely found in books written by Germans.

The principal differential diagnostic considerations in the case of nevi situated at the acra are atypical nevus and melanoma and, occasionally Spitz nevus/tumor.

2004 August 1, Raymond L. Barnhill, Michael Piepkorn, Klaus J. Busam, Pathology of Melanocytic Nevi and Malignant Melanoma, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 89:

The surface area to volume ratio requires that the surface temperature in the nearly cylinder-shaped body parts should be lower the smaller their radius is. Consequently skin temperatures drop toward the ends of the extremities. A quicker cooling of the acra compared to head or trunk also occurs.

2014 July 29, Sandra Ückert, Cold Application in Training & Competition: The Influence of Temperature on Your Athletic Performance, Meyer & Meyer Verlag, →ISBN, page 52:

(anatomy, rare) The vascular areas of the body most removed from the heart.


crab yaws

The fungous excrescences on the soles of the feet; called crab yaws, often prove very obstinate , and remain a long time after the disease has totally disappeared in other parts

1803, Thomas Masterman Winterbottom, An Account of the Native Africans in the Neighbourhood of Sierra Leone:

(obsolete, rare) A disease in the West Indies; a kind of ulcer on the soles of the feet, with very hard edges.


noises off

A separate section is given to this subject because as a rule the importance of noises off is badly underestimated in the amateur theatre.

1934, Alfred Kenneth Boyd, The Technique of Play Production:

(theater) Sound effects produced offstage.


square eyes

(humorous) A supposed ailment caused by prolonged watching of television or computer screens.


Nkore

The lect spoken by these people, Nyankole.


low hangers

He was a prize male with the sexual aura of a massive hunk with low hangers.

2001, Darwin Porter, Hollywood's Silent Closet, page 203:

His balls were smooth and the biggest set of low hangers I had ever seen.

2011, Marc Anthony, The Sweeter the Juice, page 269:

He dropped his tight cotton briefs to reveal to Sano what he suspected : the ex state trooper, military man, and bodyguard was very well hung with a 9” long and thick uncut rod and a set of full rounded low hangers that swayed wantonly...

2012, Kyle Cicero, Masters of Asia, page 23:

(plural only) A large pair of testicles and scrotum.


menkind

She had anticipated passionate reproaches, tears even, for an attractive women who has been consistently spoiled by her menkind is, of all her sex, the least prepared to bow to the force of circumstances.

1920, Margaret Pedler, The Hermit of Far End:

In the wildcat's eyes, however, as in the eyes of all the wild kindreds, he seemed a treasured possession of the menkind, and an especially objectionable expression of all their most objectionable characteristics.

1904, Charles G. D. Roberts, The Watchers of the Trails:

"To think that here you live, all the menkind belongin' to me, and I never to have seen it!

1895, Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch, Wandering Heath:

If "all the Jewish women in Palestine are hysterical," presumably many of their menkind suffer from the same disability, which certainly does not promise well for the luckless Arab who is to live beneath their sway.

1924, Nesta H. Webster, Secret Societies And Subversive Movements:


Engle

An unincorporated community in Sierra County, New Mexico.

An unincorporated community in Fayette County, Texas.

Jefferson County
Jefferson County#English

An unincorporated community in Jefferson County, West Virginia.


territorial waters

Her Majesty's Government do not interpret these expressions in any sense derogatory to the sovereign authority of Great Britain in the territorial waters of Newfoundland.

1880 December 11, “The Fortune Bay Outrage: Lord Granville's Letter to Minister Lowell”, in New York Times, retrieved 2012-06-22:

You are not merely within territorial waters, but you have invaded a national port.

1909, Bram Stoker, The Lady of the Shroud, Book 7:

According to the South Korean joint chiefs of staff, a North Korean gunboat ventured about a mile into what Seoul claims is its territorial waters.

2009 November 10, Bill Powell, “Before Obama's Visit, a New Clash Between Koreas”, in Time:

(politics, geography) A country's inland lakes and waterways as well as the portion of its coastal oceans, seas, or other adjoining bodies of water considered to fall within the political boundaries and legal jurisdiction of that country.


lomas

en-noun

lomas pl (normally plural, singular loma)

Fog oases, areas of fog-watered vegetation in the coastal desert of Peru and northern Chile


Jesus boots

Facetious misnomer based on the type of footwear (sandals) which Jesus is traditionally held to have worn.

"She had a brother, Ben. Now, he was a real hippie. Long hair, beard, wild shirts, Jesus boots. Into the Beatles. The works."

2004, Richard Laymon, The Lake, Leisure Books, published 2005, →ISBN:


ciliary processes

(chiefly in the plural, anatomy) inward folding of the choroid with the function of producing aqueous humour


multicopies

High expression rates and multicopies of the plasmid have resulted in very high yields of individual proteins.

1981, New Scientist (volume 91, number 1270, page 666)

Multicopies can easily be produced and distributed.

1986, SAMA, Bulletin (volume 17, page 27)


tin snips

My husband spent the next day inside the plane, cutting out an unused gasoline tank, piece by piece, with tin snips.

1934 August 30, “A Fast-Moving Narrative”, in New York Times, Books Section, p. 21:

If you plan to do much work sheet metal, a pair of curved-blade tin snips will save wear and tear on your nerves in the long run.

1957 May 4, “Curved-Blade Snips”, in Calgary Herald, Canada, retrieved 2012-06-28, page 23:

This bend eliminates unsightly waviness that often develops as you cut the copper with a tin snips.

2004 October 24, Tim Carter, “Ask the Builder”, in Telegraph Herald, Iowa, USA, retrieved 2012-06-28, page 5E:

Large, heavily-constructed scissors or shears, operated by hand and used for cutting sheets of metal.


heavy legs

Ultimately, it was [Julien] Benneteau whose body and resolve collapsed, as he twice received massage to heavy legs in the fifth set, a stretching of the regulations allowing for strictly medical attention on court.

2012 June 29, Kevin Mitchell, “Roger Federer back from Wimbledon 2012 brink to beat Julien Benneteau”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 2016-11-15:

An alleged medical condition, described as an unpleasant sensation of pain and heaviness in the lower limbs.


civil liberties

civil liberties pl (normally plural, singular civil liberty)

Observations on the nature of civil liberty, the principles of government, and the justice and policy of the war with America [book title].

1776, Richard Price, Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, the Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War with America, London: Printed for T[homas] Cadell, →OCLC:

Civil liberty is liberty in a state of society; that is, in a state of union with equals; consequently, limitation of self-determination is one of the necessary characteristics of civil liberty.

1888, Francis Lieber, edited by Theodore D[wight] Woolsey, On Civil Liberty and Self-government, 3rd, rev. edition, Philadelphia, Pa.: J. B. Lippincott Company, →OCLC, page 28:

They [readers] may harbor an instinctive skepticism that a theory can be propounded which articulates a legitimate realm for morals legislation and still permits a desirable diversity of ways of life and provides principled grounds for respecting and protecting basic civil liberties such as freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly, and a right to privacy.

1993, Robert P[eter] George, Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality, Oxford: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 189:

There are […] liberties that most of us agree should never be restricted – such as the liberty to air opinions publicly on policy issues, or the liberty to read whatever we want to read, or the liberty to worship (or not worship) according to our own belief systems. We refer to these basic liberties, the liberties to which we believe every person is entitled, as civil liberties. There is no easy step-by-step process, no simple ten-word definition, that can tell us which liberties constitute civil liberties. Personal definitions of civil liberties tend to vary depending on what sort of laws one believes should be passed.

2009, Tom Head, chapter 1, in Civil Liberties: A Beginner's Guide, eBook edition, Oxford: OneWorld Publications, published 2012, →ISBN:

Civil rights and freedoms such as the freedom from enslavement, freedom from torture, and right to a fair trial.


Augean stables

Augean stables pl (normally plural, singular Augean stable)

From Augean (“pertaining to Augeas”) + stables. Augeas was a legendary king of Elis in Greek mythology who owned 3,000 divine cattle which produced a huge amount of dung in stables that had not been cleaned for over 30 years. The cleaning of the stables was the fifth of the twelve Labours of Hercules, which Hercules achieved by rerouting the Alpheus and Peneus rivers through them.

compound

Yea, as yee loue your ovvne life, peace, vvelfare; Rouze vp your ſpirits, avvaken your Chriſtian courage, and ſet your ſelues heartily againſt the traitorly ſinnes of theſe times, vvhich threaten the bane of all theſe. Cleanſe yee theſe Augean''' ſtables of our drunken Tauernes, of our profane ſtages, and of thoſe blinde Vaults of profeſſed filthineſſe, VVhoſe ſteppes goe dovvne to the chambers of Death; yea, to the deepe of Hell.

1613 April 3 (Gregorian calendar), Jos[eph] Hall, “An Holy Panegyrick. A Sermon Preached at Paules-Crosse, vpon the Anniuersary Solemnity of the Happie Inauguration of Our Drad Soueraigne Lord, King Iames, March 24. 1613.”, in A Recollection of Such Treatises as Haue Bene heretofore Seuerally Published and are Nowe Reuised, Corrected, Augmented. […], London: […] [Humfrey Lownes] for Arthur Iohnson, Samuel Macham and Laurence Lisle, published 1615, →OCLC, page 711:

Let us ſhevv our Duty to this our great and benevolent Sovereign; let us endeavour to alleviate his Cares, and him of all ungrateful Burthens; let us take upon our ſelves the heavy and long Labour of cleanſing the Augean''' Stables, and of cutting off all the Hydra's Head at once.

1721 February 1 (Gregorian calendar), “Cato” [pseudonym], “Political Letters to the Author of the Lond[on] Journal, from Jan. 14. to Feb. 18.”, in The Political State of Great Britain, volume XXI, London: […] [F]or the author [Abel Boyer], and sold by T. Warner […], and A. Rocayrol, […], published 11 March 1721 (Gregorian calendar), →OCLC, page 156:

Some perſons imagine, and argue, as if a conſolidation of the Legiſlatures vvould correct the vices and cure the corruption of Parliament, […] as if they conſidered the Britiſh Senate the choſen ſpot, the conſecrated temple of genuine and unſullied freedom, and that of Ireland no better than the Augean ſtable, vvhich no time or labour could cleanſe of its filth and free from its impurities. But, my friends and countrymen, you have too much underſtanding to be deluded by ſuch monſtrous and abſurd poſitions, vvhich have ſuch little foundation, either in fact or in a knovvledge of human nature.

1799, “A Freeholder” [pseudonym], A Letter to the Electors of Ireland, on the Projected Measure of an Union. […], Dublin: […] J. Moore, […], →OCLC, pages 9–10:

We have assembled to discuss those principles of government—principles which have been subverted to the purposes of the present administration. […] We have seen the effect of some of the measures of the administration at Washington, and it is high time, my fellow-citizens, that the Augean stable there was cleansed. […] The Augean stable at Washington has had a number of animals in it for nearly twelve years, without being cleaned out. [Laughter.]

1840 October 5, General [Pierre] Van Cortlandt, “Meeting at Auburn, N.Y.”, in A[nthony] B[anning] Norton, The Great Revolution of 1840. Reminiscences of the Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign, Mount Vernon, Oh., Dallas, Tex.: A. B. Norton & Co., published 1888, →OCLC, page 341:

'What an Augean stable!' he muttered to himself. 'Where does one begin? With the masses? Educate the masses?' He shook his head. 'Not a chance there. It would take centuries. A handful of men at the top. Or even one man with vision – an enlightened dictator. People are scared of the word nowadays. But what kind of democracy can exist side by side with so much corruption and ignorance? Perhaps a half-way house – a sort of compromise.'

1960, Chinua Achebe, chapter 5, in No Longer at Ease (African Writers Series), Oxford, Oxfordshire: Heinemann Educational Publishers, published 1987, →ISBN, page 40:

Augean stables are everywhere under the Congress Raj—whether in agriculture or elsewhere. Only a few days back there was a huge fraud in the CHS dispensaries.

1972 August 23, Dahyabhai V. Patel, “The Insecticides (Amendment) Bill, 1972”, in Parliamentary Debates: Rajya Sabha: Official Report (Rajya Sabha), volume LXXXI, number 16, New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Secretariat, →OCLC, column 248:

For him [Glenn Brown], daft, culturally sanctioned gesturalism is an Augean stable, and he the Hercules whose duty it is to disinfect it. At this time, for example, he mounted an attack on the ultimate in post-war expressionism. Unfortunately, his version of a chimpanzee painting remains unfinished.

1993 October 10, Stuart Morgan, “Confessions of a Body Snatcher: Glenn Brown”, in Frieze, London: Frieze Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-03-11, page 52:

The legacy of State-based political machines—I need to win an election despite them. And then I can clean out the Augean stables: abolish the National Executive for what they did to Cookie, and abolish the primacy of the State branches.

2004 April 27, Mark Latham, “2004 Pre-election”, in The Latham Diaries, Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, published 2005, →ISBN, page 283:

The military administration wasted little time in getting down to the business of cleaning up the Augean Stable. The constitution was suspended. All political appointees lost their job. They were all hounded into detention, collectively accused of corruption.

2012 May, Dan Agbese, “The Augean Stable”, in Ibrahim Babangida: The Military, Politics and Power in Nigeria, London, Abuja, Nigeria: Adonis & Abbey, →ISBN, page 177:

(figuratively) A place or situation characterized by corruption or moral decay.


sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll

en-noun

sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll pl (plural only)

In use since the 1960s, later popularized by the song “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (Ian Dury and the Blockheads, 1977).

Sex and drugs and rock and roll / Is all my brain and body need / Sex and drugs and rock and roll / Is very good indeed

1977, “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”, performed by Ian Dury:

This, then, is Larry Mitchell's ultimate message: we all do have to be awake. Sex and drugs and rock 'n roll are fun, and fun is necessary, but it is not enough.

1982 December 4, Rob Kaplan, “Life in the Last Days”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 20, page 12:

(informal) Indulgent and pleasurable activities.

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
The Blockheads


Xiongnu

Borrowed from the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of Mandarin 匈奴 (Xiōngnú). Possibly a doublet of Hun; their relationship to the Huns is disputed.

(historical) An ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han dynasty.


Tannese

The natives and inhabitants of the island of Tanna.


Blue Mountains

A mountainous region of New South Wales, Australia.

The City of Blue Mountains, a local government area in this region of New South Wales.

Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island#English

A small mountain range on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada.

A mountain range in the western United States, located largely in northeastern Oregon and stretching into southeastern Washington.


Zeme

A Sino-Tibetan language spoken in northeastern India.


cakes and ale

From William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night (written c. 1601–1602), Act II, scene iii: see the quotation.

Doſt thou thinke becauſe thou art vertuous, there ſhall be no more Cakes and Ale?

c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 261, column 2:


transfolk

Transfolk are not covered in any applicable laws like Title VII or the ADA - in fact, transsexualism is explicitly excluded from the ADA. Therefore, you have no causes of action against an employer based on federal law.

1997, A. Spencer Bergstedt, Transition and Beyond, page 28:

This highlights the awkwardly linked histories of transfolk and the gay and lesbian community due to historical and geographical coincidences.

2010, Kath Browne, Catherine J. Nash, Queer Methods and Methodologies, →OCLC, page 140:


nickings

(mining) Small coal produced during cutting at the side of the coalface.


fairy lights

fairy lights pl (normally plural, singular fairy light)

Through the trees ahead came odd strains from the dance band in the Casino, and now I could see many twinkling fairy lights and detect moving figures.

1930, Sax Rohmer, The Day the World Ended, published 1969, page i. 13:

I managed to put quite a lot of small baubles on the top of the tree that way and helped drape the long string of fairy lights around it, […]

2010, Trisha Ashley, Twelve Days of Christmas, HarperCollins, →ISBN:

A constant, slightly defocused, dinner party with relaxed glamorous friends, carrying on just outside the kitchen door, under the fairy lights.

2023 September 23, Tim Hayward, “Not so easy does it”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 19:

(UK, Ireland) Small electric lights on a strand which are used decoratively, especially on Christmas trees.


deperdits

Late Latin deperditum, from Latin deperditus, past participle of deperdere.

[…] we might have nations of human beings without nails upon their fingers, with more or fewer fingers and toes than ten... No reason can be given why, if these deperdits ever existed, they have now disappeared.

1802, William Paley, Natural Theology or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity, chapter 5, objection #4:


lawn sleeves

From the sleeves of the bishops' robes, which were made of lawn (“fine linen”).

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lawn, sleeves.

The LORD CHANCELLOR declared, that in his opinion, a bishop might vote either in his lawn sleeves, or in his robes ; and in proof of it, his Lordship said he hasd more than once seen Bishops vote in a Committee of Privileges without their lawn sleeves.

1800, “House of Lords, Wedneday, July 23”, in The Parliamentary Register, volume 12, page 481:

The sleeves of a bishop's ceremonial garments.

I shall implore the aid of the lawn sleeves and ermine on that occasion.

1777, “Debate on Lord C------n's motion more amending the address”, in John Nichols, editor, The Gentleman's magazine, volume 47, E. Cave, page 606:

“In the House of Lords, most likely. I rather think of bein there to-morrow night, and shal look sharpish after the lawn sleeves, you ma depend on’t."

1845, James Anthony Froude, John Tulloch, editors, Fraser's Magazine, volume 32, J. Fraser:

The bishops of the Anglican or Roman Catholic churches.


Indo-European studies

The academic study of the Indo-European languages in relation to Proto-Indo-European, and sometimes of related humanities. (This entry is a translation hub.)


I-sites

I-sites pl (normally plural, singular I-site)

(biochemistry) A protein folding initiation site motif consisting of an amino acid sequence pattern and a local structure type.


Mono

Uncertain. The Monache, a related ethnic group, seems to derive their name from a common source as the Mono, as -chi occurs otherwise in the Yokutsan and Miwok languages as a relatively common suffix on tribal names.

A county in California, United States, see Mono County.


Insabbatati

So called from their peculiarly cut or marked sabots, or shoes.


velvet handcuffs

If turnover is low, is this for good reasons or because staff have no other opportunities or are trapped by "velvet handcuffs" — are dissatisfied and would like to leave, but the money is too good.

2000, Jack A. Green, Contact: a Guide to Developing Effective Call Centre Skills:

Inevitably, it turns out, singing other people's songs or having to collaborate with one's bandmates can sometimes feel like a prison sentence, albeit one with velvet handcuffs and minimum security.

2004 March 13, Billboard, volume 116, number 11, page 11:

The transfer sounded prestigious, but it was definitely a demotion. This was the style of the Brezhnev Politburo: velvet handcuffs, but handcuffs nevertheless.

2011, Christopher Shulgan, The Soviet Ambassador: The Making of the Radical Behind Perestroika:

(idiomatic) Golden handcuffs: any arrangement designed to provide favorable benefits or pay so as to discourage a participant from choosing to leave it.


Improperia

A series of antiphons and responses expressing the remonstrance of Jesus Christ with his people, usually sung on Good Friday.


12-ounce curls

From the size of common beer containers (bottles and cans) in the United States: 12 ounces + curls, a weightlifting exercise. The notion is of lifting a can of beer to one's lips repeatedly.

Don't burn out your biceps with 12-ounce curls.

2006 June, Scott Quill, “Muscle Bulletin: Pass the Bar”, in Men's Health, →ISSN:

(idiomatic) The activity of drinking beer.


Bosha

From one of the languages spoken in the Caucasus where the people reside; see Russian боша (boša), Armenian բոշա (boša), Georgian ბოშა (boša), Turkish and Azerbaijani Poşa, Boşa.

The Bosha are Central Gypsy (Lomavren) speakers (Patkanoff 1908-1909; le Redžosko 1984); but what is noteworthy is the presence of two Romani (i.e., European or Western) Gypsy-speaking populations in the Middle East: the Ghagar in Egypt (Sampson 1928; Hanna 1982), and the Zagari in Iran (Windfugr 1970).

1988, Mohammad Ali Jazayery, Werner Winter, editors, Languages and Cultures: Studies in Honor of Edgar C. Polomé, page 199:

(sometimes offensive, ethnic slur) The Lom, a nomadic people related to the Rom and Dom, with origins in India, who reside in the South Caucasus; Caucasian Gypsies.

բոշա

the Lom, a nomadic people related to the Rom and Dom


Djaru

A Ngumbin Australian Aboriginal language spoken in the Halls Creek region of Western Australia.


Cabeiri

(Greek mythology) A group of enigmatic chthonic deities worshipped by a mystery cult closely associated with that of Hephaestus.


rapilli

rapilli pl (normally plural, singular rapillo)

(now rare) Small fragments of rock, pumice and other ejecta thrown out by a volcano.


zoomies

I wouldn't go back there unless you want to get some zoomies!

How many zoomies did you get today?

(US military slang) Nontechnical units of radiation, such as are present in a compartment containing or near nuclear weapons or a nuclear reactor, or are picked up on a dosimeter.

No racing madly about for these pretty kitties, although all cats, particularly kittens, get the “zoomies” […]

2005, Eve Adamson, Adopting a Pet For Dummies, page 148:

There was never a more affectionate dog, or one who looked sillier having the zoomies.

2011, Jolanta Benal, The Dog Trainer's Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet:

Dere is more space in de libing woom for zoomies though and wese wike dat a lot. Wese lub zoomies!

2015, Heidi Dietrich, Mornink Meetink Minuteys By Stellaluna The Cat:

(informal) A period of frenzied running in a pet cat or dog.


Since first tossing its cartoonish, good-time cock-rock to the masses in the early ’00s, The Darkness has always fallen back on this defense: The band is a joke, but hey, it’s a good joke. With Hot Cakes—the group’s third album, and first since reforming last year—the laughter has died. In its place is the sad wheeze of the last surviving party balloon slowly, listlessly deflating.

2012 August 21, Jason Heller, “The Darkness: Hot Cakes (Music Review)”, in The Onion AV Club:


chilaquiles

From Spanish chilaquiles, from Classical Nahuatl chīlātl.

A traditional Mexican dish of fried tortilla chips topped with salsa.


Kanienkehaka

From Mohawk Kanien'kehá:ka, the autonym (name for themselves).


guyses

Hey, old fogies, why don't you guyses blow a Trojan and float away, okay?

1998, Ray A. Young Bear, Remnants of the First Earth, page 285:

"I'm going to get one two times as big as you guyses," Sammy squawked in her Keeky voice.

1983, Howard White, Raincoast chronicles six/ten, page 35:

(slang) Alternative spelling of guys; plural of guy

"Scuse me," a voice said cheerfully, "can I snatch you guyses Tabasco sauce?"

2010, Mary Sojourner, Going Through Ghosts, page 44:

(colloquial) Alternative spelling of guys'.


KSAs

Initialism of knowledge, skills, and abilities.


juarez

From warez, jocularly respelt by association with Ciudad Juárez, a Mexican city on that country's border with the United States. The border is often publicly associated with illicit trafficking.

(Internet slang, leetspeak) Alternative form of warez


juarez

en-verb

juarez (third-person singular simple present juarezes, present participle juarezing, simple past and past participle juarezed)

juarezes (present singular third-person)
juarezing (participle present)
juarezed (participle past)
juarezed (past)


handsies

(informal) Flirtatious or lascivious touching.


synonyma

This power was sometimes sole in a single person , and sometimes equally in two together . Thus these three titles are in sense synonyma

a. 1662 (date written), Thomas Fuller, The History of the Worthies of England, London: […] J[ohn] G[rismond,] W[illiam] L[eybourne] and W[illiam] G[odbid], published 1662, →OCLC:


ladybits

Many women think their ladybits are ugly or disfigured — let me reassure you that in 99.9% of cases they're not, […]

2011, Julie Peasgood, The Greatest Guide to Sex, Greatest Guides Limited, →ISBN, page 21:

(euphemistic, slang) Synonym of ladyparts.


you and yours

He is always sincere, with his big grin and his wish of "Lots of luck to you and yours!"

2000, Ken Beck, Jim Clark, The Andy Griffith Show Book, page 88:

May the sun shine warm upon you and yours.

2010, Peter G. Thomas, Pat Thomas, The Sineacham, page 14:

(colloquial) Yourself and your family or loved ones, usually in salutations.

dig og dine

the person addressed and his/her family or loved ones


words of one syllable

I am at present engaged in preparing a vest-pocket edition of the philosophical works of Schopenhauer in words of one syllable.

1894, John Kendrick Bangs, “A Midnight Visitor”, in The Water Ghost and Others:

So I explained in words of one syllable that I went there to pick edelweiss from the fire escapes.

1914, Samuel Hopkins Adams, chapter 24, in The Clarion:

Felix propounded the story of the arrest, so far as might be, in words of one syllable.

1915, John Galsworthy, chapter 22, in The Freelands:

The President used "words of one syllable" to convey his insistence that Poland be "free and independent".

1972 December 27, Alden Whitman, “Obituary: Harry S. Truman, Decisive President”, in New York Times, retrieved 2012-09-21:

Or, in words of one syllable, it's Cirque's sex show.

2003 November 19, Richard Corliss, “That Old Feeling: The Show at the Casino”, in Time:

(idiomatic, usually preceded by in) Simple, clear, straightforward language; blunt language.


Androphagi

From Ancient Greek Ἀνδροφάγοι (Androphágoi).

an ancient nation of anthropophagi (cannibals) north of Scythia, recorded by Herodotus


ohunkakan

From Lakota ohúŋkakaŋ (“myth, story of the distant (mythic) past”).


sallenders

1831-1850, William Youatt, On the Structure and the Diseases of the Horse
there is occasionally a surfy eruption, called mallenders in the fore-leg, and sallenders in the hindleg


swim briefs

For racing, swim briefs for men and swimsuits for women often feature bicycle padding. Serious triathletes jump right onto their bikes after the swim, not taking time to change to cycling shorts. Unless you're tough, buy a padded suit. They tend not to fit or stay as snug as cycling shorts, so as crazy as it sounds you may want to do a practice ride in your padded swimsuit prior to race day, to make sure you're comfortable enough.

2001, Wes Hobson, Clark Campbell, Mike Vickers, Michael F. Vickers, Swim, Bike, Run, page 90:

A briefs-style male swimsuit such as those worn in competitive swimming, diving, and water polo.

Appendix:Roget MICRA thesaurus/Class II § 225. Clothing -- the closest included


racing briefs

A quick flip-turn jackknifed his narrow hips out of the water for a second as he began another lap, exposing the most miniscule^([sic]) pair of black racing briefs that she'd ever seen outside a magazine swimwear layout.

1989, Candace Schuler, Sophisticated Lady, Harlequin, →ISBN, page 152:

A briefs-style male swimsuit such as those worn in competitive swimming and diving.


sexy times

"Know what, Grayson? That nobody will hire me just as a pilot? That all my flying jobs come with a side order of sexy times? […]

2012, Jennifer Echols, Such a Rush, Gallery Books, published 2012, →ISBN, page 199:

(slang) Time dedicated to sexual activity; by extension, sexual intercourse.


Songora

A pastoralist people from Western Uganda


shooting glasses

(firearms) A type of impact-resistant eyewear worn by shooters to prevent injury due to a cartridge or gun malfunction blowing hot gas or metal particles into the shooter's face.


Mani

Alternative form of Maniq (“ethnic group”)


bad books

I’m afraid I’m in my boss’s bad books after showing up late for work four times last week.

(figurative, idiomatic, used with a possessive) Disfavor.


VFX

Where is the main visual effects shot in that movie?? Hint: There are five VFX shots, four of them are modifications of the fire in the scene. One of them is something else, what is it?

1991 May 30, Marty Brenneis, “Backdraft”, in misc.emerg-services (Usenet), retrieved 2018-10-05, message-ID <9105301502.AA04808@snootles>:

Believe me, I *know* how much effects cost or don't. They can even be inexpensive with CGI -- we managed to turn out over 150 VFX shots for SUPER MARIO BROTHERS (script and editing: NOT MY FAULT) for about $4M. But the cost of the SETS still pushed it up into the $30-40M range. And on-set effects and construction costs were also behind the exorbitance of T2 (Visual Effects: ~$18M) and the "other" L.A.Hero (Total ~$130M).

1993 July 14, Kevin Bjorke, “Re: Live Action AKIRA (Was: Live Action Macross)”, in rec.arts.anime (Usenet), retrieved 2018-10-05, message-ID <1993Jul14.181330.17785@pixar.com>:

Digital re-composite: assuming Lucas saved all the original film shot in the making of the trilogy, it would be theoretically possible to digitize each element (footage of indivdual spacecraft, pyrotechnic shots, backgrounds) and reassemble the VFX seamlessly using the computer instead of the ever-twitchy optical printer that was the state of the art 10-15 years ago.

1994 October 28, Allen G. Newman, “How will they go (VFX revisions)?”, in rec.arts.sf.starwars (Usenet), retrieved 2018-10-05, message-ID <CyEnII.8w6@sunfish.usd.edu>:


xanthochroi

Alternative letter-case form of Xanthochroi


FANBOYS

Acronym of For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

The risk is greater with subordinating conjunctions (see “Starting a Sentence with Because”), but the FANBOYS are sometimes considered guilty by association: […]

2008 July 8, Mignon Fogarty, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, New York: Macmillan, →ISBN, →OL, page 80:

These FANBOYS help create compound sentences, and when they serve this role, a comma comes before their use.

2009 September 24, Mel Friedman, Rena Grasso, Carol Hunter, Laura Meiselman, The Best Test Preparation for the PRAXIS II ParaPro Assessment 0755 and 1755, Piscataway: Research & Education Association, →ISBN, →OL, page 161:

Avoid putting a comma immediately after any of the FANBOYS.

2011 November 24, Larry Beason, Mark Lester, A Commonsense Guide to Grammar and Usage, 6th edition, Macmillan, →ISBN, →OL, page 192:

(mnemonic) Acronym used to remember the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.


pettipants

A kind of women's lingerie resembling long shorts, usually with ruffles down each leg.


jorts

en-noun

jorts pl (normally plural, singular jort)

Jorts are confusing. Do you want to wear jeans or shorts? Our guess is that what you're really saying is that you'd like to wear a longish, slouchy pair of shorts and not look too buttoned-up.

2010 March 16, Ellen Rakieten with Anne Coyle, Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex, New York: Villard Books, →ISBN, →OL, page 13:

Although some feel that jorts include any manner of denim short regardless of length, others describe jorts as strictly of the knee-length, baggy variety.

2011 November 18, Anna Lefle, The Chicktionary: From A-line to Z-snap, the words every woman should know, Avon: Adams Media, →ISBN, →OL, page 106:

Your dad wore jorts before you did and he's got the short frayed denim to prove it.

2012 March 28, Brad Getty, Dads Are the Original Hipsters, San Francisco: Chronicle Books, →ISBN, →OL, page 11:

(countable, uncountable) jean shorts, a pair of shorts made from denim (especially, mid-thigh or knee-length)


sexytimes

No sooner are they aboard the train than Sarah is accosted by Bobby (Morris Chestnut), a motormouthed porter who thinks she is beautiful and wants to make sexytimes with her, respectfully.

2010 June 16, Eric D. Snider, “Eric's Bad Movies: Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)”, in Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

But kids aren’t automatically issued an Adult Sexytimes Manual on their 18th birthdays.

2011 December 2, Anna North, letter to the editor, The New York Times:

[…] And he'll want to have ladies back to his place for sexytimes anyway."

2012, Lauren Dane, Beneath the Skin, Samhain Publishing, Ltd., →ISBN, page 132:


Hevelli

(historical) A tribe of the Polabian Slavs, who settled around the middle Havel river in the present-day Havelland region of Brandenburg in eastern Germany from the 8th century onwards.


kindest regards

(idiomatic) Used as a polite closing of a letter


trufax

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-trufax.wav

Altered spelling of true facts, equivalent to tru- + fax (“facts”).

During our precise research in random teenmags we came across various facts & quotes that unfortunately no one ever paid attention to. And nobody knows whether they are trufax or not.

2008 December, “The truest Truth…on Tom”, in Monsun, number 2, page 24:

This is an actual celebrity trufax as we once sat next to the lovely Neve at the theatre and saw the shiningly blue card in her wallet at the bar.

2009 November 25, Kat Brown, “Wes Craven Back For Scream 4?”, in Empire:

That's neither here nor there; just one of those interesting trufax one often encounters making their way through life's miraculous vistas.

2012 February 2, Judith Fitzgerald, “MuseFlash Thursday: Marty Gervais, Patrick Woodcock and so much more”, in The Globe and Mail:

(Internet slang) A piece of factual information; truth.


whips and jingles

(US, idiomatic) A state of torturous delirium, particularly delirium tremens.


rawhead and bloodybones

rawhead and bloodybones pl (plural only)

A pair of monsters or bugbears, used to frighten children.


sporades

(astronomy) Stars not included in any constellation.


temperates

(geography, uncommon) The region of the Earth characterized by temperate climate, spanning between the tropics and the polar regions.


broekies

Borrowed from Afrikaans broekie, diminutive of broek (“trousers”).

(plural only, South Africa) women's underwear; panties; knickers


all comers

The meeting is open to all comers.


just folks

Even his mussed cravat and cow licked hair had a "just folks" quality.

1961, Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land, New York: Avon, →OCLC, page 43:

George Bush's attempt at just-folks normalcy was undermined when he turned a blind eye to his chief of staff flying military jets to private appointments.

2001 June 24, Margaret Carlson, “Shear Dismay”, in Time:

(idiomatic, attributively, sometimes hyphenated) Unpretentious, informal, down-to-earth.


longies

I'm not going to change anything! Not even my underwear! And that's that. Get me my old red longies!

This as she donned jeans over the longies.

1993, Dana Stabenow, A Fatal Thaw, →ISBN, page 170:

He's got a nice heavy coat and he's wearin longies, but nights have been in the twenties everywhere north of the county line since Halloween.

2001, Stephen King, Dreamcatcher: A Novel, →ISBN, page 77:


neighboring rights

(law) The rights on a work not related to its author's copyright.


mantyhose

The site e-MANcipate.net is devoted to "accelerating the acceptance of male pantyhose as a regular clothing item," and features a how-to guide for wearing mantyhose properly.

2009 January 16, “'Mantyhose', latest fad for men!”, in The Times of India:

Mantyhose have been popular in Europe – that bastion of progressive, gender-neutral fashion – for years, but have only recently gained traction in the U.S.

2012 March 8, Allison Berry, “Introducing Mantyhose. Yes, Mantyhose.”, in Time:

Their mantyhose are most popular with customers from Germany, France, Scandinavia, Canada and the United States.

2012 March 10, Maureen Dowd, “Manlashes, Manscara and Mantyhose”, in The New York Times:

(informal) Pantyhose designed for and/or marketed toward men.


Nones

From their selection of the option None or None of the above on census returns or other surveys of religious affiliation.

The second is the “Nones” proper, those who in response to the question “What is your religious tradition, if any?” answer “None.” […] Even among the “Nones” only a small minority identify as atheist or agnostic. In fact, the vast majority of “Nones” claim beliefs and attitudes more like than unlike those of persons inside churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques.

2004, Patricia O’Connell Killen, Introduction to Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone, page 17

The mobility of American society has done little or nothing to erode strong regional religious cultures such as those of the Catholics of the Northeast, the Lutherans of the Upper Midwest, the Baptists of the South and the “Nones” of the Pacific Northwest.

2006, Barry A. Kosmin et al., Religion in a Free Market, pages xvi–xvii:

He also found that the sons and daughters of two parents who have no religious preference (Nones) tend to become Nones.

2011, James D. Davidson et al., Ranking Faiths: Religious Stratification in America, page 3:

Suppose that we administered a scale that measures support for capital punishment at the interval-ratio level to a randomly selected sample that includes Protestants, Catholics, Jews, people with no religious affiliation (“Nones”), and people from other religions (“Others”). […] Are Protestants significantly more supportive than Catholics or Jews? How do people with no religious affiliation compare to other people?

2012, Joseph F. Healey, Statistics: A Tool for Social Research, 9th edition, page 242:

For example, in a 2008 report called American Nones: The Profile of the No Religion Population released by the respected ARIS (American Religious Identification Survey), one reads that “the Nones increased from 8.1 percent of the U.S. adult population in 1990 to 15 percent in 2008 and from 14 to 34 million adults. ...”

2013, J. L. Schellenberg, Evolutionary Religion, page 136:

People with no religious affiliation are outliers, as there is a greater frequency of divorce among Nones married to Nones than Nones married to religious people.

2013, Naomi Schaefer Riley, ‘Til Faith Do Us Part, page 122:

Those without any religious affiliation: atheists and others outside any organized religion.


meggings

Blend of man + leggings; compare treggings, jeggings.

On the catwalk, in magazines, on the legs of industry "muses" such as Jethro Cave (son of Nick), meggings are everywhere.

2009 March 9, Jonathan Heaf, “Coming your way: leggings for men”, in The Guardian:

Uniqlo is already selling Meggings on its British website, and their success in New York is seen as an indication they will also prove popular here.

2012 December 9, Tom Teodorczuk, “Men in tights: how ‘meggings’ are taking fashion by storm”, in Telegraph:

(neologism, informal) tights or leggings for men.


Therapeutae

Borrowed from Latin [Term?], from Ancient Greek θερᾰπευταί (therapeutaí), plural of θερᾰπευτής (therapeutḗs, “one who serves the gods, worshipper”).

(historical) A Jewish sect which flourished in Alexandria and other parts of the Diaspora of Hellenistic Judaism in the final years of the Second Temple period.


Kutub al-Sittah

Borrowed from Arabic الكُتُب السِّتَّة (al-kutub as-sitta, “the six books”).

bor

الكُتُب السِّتَّة

(Islam) The group of six collections of hadiths (sayings or acts of Muhammad) which form part of the official canon of Sunni Islam.


elephant ears

Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia esculenta#Translingual


good graces

[H]e had insinuated himself into the good graces of an ancient and rich burgomaster, and, by his handsome person and graceful manners, captivated the affections of his only child.

1831, Sir Walter Scott, My Aunt Margaret's Mirror:

[T]he twins' charm of manner and easy and polished bearing made speedy conquest of the family's good graces.

1894, Mark Twain, chapter 6, in The Tragedy of Pudd'Nhead Wilson:

David had, in the space of an hour, captured Mrs. Williamson's heart, wormed himself into the good graces of Timothy, and become hail-fellow-well-met with old Robert.

1910, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 16, in Kilmeny of the Orchard:

That has prompted leaders of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association to threaten to withhold support for the Mayor's re-election bid. "He's not in our good graces now," said Louis Matarazzo, the P.B.A. president. "We're not endorsing anyone now."

1996 February 6, Clifford Krauss, “New York's Thin, Angry Blue Line”, in New York Times, retrieved 2012-12-26:

Joe Lieberman has never been shy about speaking his mind. . ., leaving his fate as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and member of the Democratic caucus to depend on the good graces of Senate Democrats.

2008 November 18, Jay Newton-Small, “Why the Democrats — and Obama — Forgave Lieberman”, in Time:

(idiomatic) Favorable regard; personal approval; kindly treatment.


good books

"[D]o you like him?'" / "Not at all, just now: his name is entirely blotted from my good books." / "What is the matter? What has he done?" / "My uncle and he disagree on politics," interposed the low voice of Caroline.

1849, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter 11, in Shirley. A Tale. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC:

[U]nfortunately, I was out of her good books, and had orders not to speak to her.

1870, Charles Reade, chapter 6, in Put Yourself in His Place:

[H]e has a cold way of looking at me which makes me think I am not in his good books.

1876, Anthony Trollope, chapter 2, in The Prime Minister:

Neil Smith, the president and general manager, said Momesso "was not in our good books" with no goals, no assists and frequent benchings for lethargic play.

1996 November 14, Joe Lapointe, “Rangers Go Quiet Into a Bad Night”, in New York Times, retrieved 2013-01-01:

"Tell them we've paid extra to apologize for the inconvenience, eh? You'll be in their good books right off."

2002, Mil Millington, Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About: A Novel, →ISBN:


vushka

en-noun

vushka pl (normally plural, singular vushko)

From Ukrainian ву́шка (vúška), plural of ву́шко (vúško, “little ear”), diminutive of ву́хо (vúxo, “ear”).

Vushka (Tiny Dumplings) (Вушка) Vushka are tiny varenyky about the size of a walnut, having their two corners joined together. This particular shape gives them a peculiar resemblance to tiny ears from which the name “vushka” is derived.

1957, Savella Stechishin, Traditional Ukrainian Cookery, Winnipeg: Trident Press, published 1980, page 210:

Next came borsch with small pieces of triangular-shaped dough called vushka floating in the soup bowls.

1978, Marguerite V. Burke, The Ukrainian Canadians, Toronto: Van Nostrand Reinhold, →ISBN, page 48:

An excellent accompaniment to borsch or broth is Vushka (little ears) which are tiny dumpling about the size of walnuts and filled with various kinds of fillings for example, meat or mushrooms. These little ears are joined at the corners and take [. . .]

1979, Carole Eberly, Our Michigan: Ethnic Tales & Recipes, Shoestring Press, →ISBN, page 151:

Although few foods or dishes are named in Ukrainian after parts of the body, their appearance and shape are sufficiently suggestive to stimulate the articulation of the connotations they bear from time to time. In this connection it is interesting to note that miniature varenyky are made as a condiment for borsch at such special occasions as Christmas; these are called vushka (“little ears”).

1985, Robert Klymasz, “Male and Female Principles as Structure in the Ritual Foodways of Ukrainians in Canada”, in Journal of Ukrainian Studies, volume 10, number 2, Toronto: Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, page 27:

“He was speaking to the cashier in Russian I think? He ordered some stuff called Rosolnyk and Vushka and something else called Varenyky? He looks paranoid or something?”

2011, Fitzgerald Jones, Cold Call, Baltimore: Publish America, →ISBN:

Small dumplings from Ukrainian cuisine, typically filled with mushrooms and served in borshch at Christmas Eve dinner.


Chinas

(historical) A people mentioned in ancient Indian literature from the first millennium BC and first millennium AD, such as the Mahabharata, Laws of Manu, and Puranic literature.


haemoconia

Small particles of lipids formed by fragmentation of the stroma of erythrocytes. They are ingested by phagocytes within the blood.


crottles

(Scotland) Various lichens gathered for dyeing.


malanders

French malandres, from Latin malandria (“blisters or pustules on the neck, especially in horses”).

(veterinary medicine) A scurfy eruption in the bend of the knee of the foreleg of a horse or similar animal.


spherobacteria

(dated) spherical bacteria, such as those in the genus Micrococcus.


Blin

The Cushitic language spoken by the Blin people.


comfies

Tired but clean, I dressed in my comfies and went into the kitchen to get my food […]

2009, David Cullen, Knock on My Door, page 127:

(informal) Comfortable casual clothing typically only worn at home, e.g. pyjamas.


Alogi

(historical) A group of Christian heretics in Asia Minor that flourished around 170 CE.


dagges

On his shoulders is seen the hood, the bottom edge being ornamented with dagges of the engrailed pattern

1999, Herbert Norris, Medieval Costume and Fashion:

(obsolete) An ornamental cutting of the edges of garments.


coags

(medicine, colloquial) Coagulation profile; coagulation tests.