Food Swamp
A "food desert" is a geographical area where residents don't have access to healthy food. The term "food swamp" was coined in February 2009 in the paper, "Deserts in…
Archive for 03/2013
Baconalia (bacon + bacchanalia)
"Baconalia" (bacon + bacchanalia) is a festival that celebrates bacon, just as the bacchanalia celebrates drink and the Greco-Roman god Bacchus (or Dionysus). The term…
“It’s not how you drive; it’s how you arrive” (golf adage)
"It's not how you drive, but/it's how you arrive" is a popular golf adage that means a good drive is only part of the game -- the short game is also important. "It's…
Pink Slip
For an employee to be given a "pink slip" means that this employee is discharged from employment. "He had had a squabble with Ray, one of the outfielders, and this coupled with a…
Selmelier (salt expert)
A "selmelier" is a salt expert, similar to a "sommelier" (wine steward). The word "selmelier" was coined since at least July 2006 by Mike Bitterman, the selmelier at…
Pig Wings (Pork Wings; Hog Wings)
"Pig wings" (also called "pork wings" or "hog wings") borrow from the popular name of Buffalo (chicken) wings. Pioneer Meats trademarked "Pig Wings" with a…
Meroir (sea version of terroir)
"Meroir" (from the Latin mer, "sea") is a newer variation on the popular word "terroir" (from terre, "land"). Terroir might concern itself with what…
Shmeat (sheet + meat)
"Shmeat" (sheet + meat) is in vitro meat that has also been called "cultured meat" and "test tube meat." Dr. Vladimir Mironov, a biologist at the Medical University of…
Crappuccino (crap + cappuccino)
A "crappuccino" (crap + cappuccino) usually means a "crappy cappuccino" -- a Starbucks-type coffee drink that is ridiculously expensive. "Our boys go to one of those quaint…
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" is often said to be a Buddhist proverb, but there's no evidence to support this. "For when the disciple is ready the Master…
“Information is the most precious commodity on Wall Street”
"Information is the most precious commodity on Wall Street" is a popular Wall Street saying. "For a change, the little guy has a better chance to be right and it all has to do with…
Sequestrocalypse (sequester + apocalypse)
News reports frequently told of apocalyptic budget cuts resulting from the 2013 U.S. federal budget sequestration. Conservative blogs popularized the term "sequestrocalypse" (sequester +…
“What’s the difference between a lawyer and a catfish?” (lawyer joke)
"What's the difference between a lawyer and a catfish?" runs a popular lawyer joke. "One is a scum-sucking bottom-dweller and the other is a fish." The joke was probably…
“There are only three lawyer jokes –- the rest are true stories”
"There are only three lawyer jokes -- the rest are true stories" is one of the most popular of lawyer jokes. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1992 and is of unknown…
Certified Idiots of America (Central Intelligence Agency or CIA nickname)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the successor to World War II's Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The CIA nickname of "Certified Idiots of America" has been cited in print…
Underbanking (Underbanked)
"Underbanking" occurs when geographical areas have only limited banking facilities. The term "underbanked" has been cited in print since a least 1935 and is often discussed with…
Unbanking (Unbanked)
Someone without a bank account is said to be "unbanked," and one possible reason could be a lack of banks in the geographical area. Someone who has a bank account but who decides to…
Liquid Gold (honey nickname)
Many liquids have been called “liquid gold” (that is, something very valuable and desired). Honey has been called “liquid gold” since at least On the Nature of Things by Lucretius (99…
“Every nation is about nine meals away from a revolution”
A popular saying is that "every nation is about three/six/seven/nine meals away from anarchy/revolution." That is, hungry people are desperate people who will topple any government.…
“All barbecue experts are self-proclaimed”
Calvin Trillin reported on Texas barbecue for The New Yorker's food issue in November 2008. Trillin wrote: "Greg Curtis once reminded me that 'all barbecue experts are…