global dimming
n.— «Over the last four decades, scientists have observed a 1.3% per decade decline in the amount of sun reaching the Earth’s surface. This phenomenon, coined “solar dimming” or “global dimming,” is due to changes in clouds and air pollution that are impeding the suns ability to penetrate.» —“Could Global Warming Mean Less Sunshine and Less Rainfall?” Eart Institute, Columbia Univ. (New York City) May 14, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Secret signals on the job: Waitresses at some 19th-century restaurants ensured speedy drink service by communicating with a non-verbal code. One server took orders, then placed each customer’s cup to indicate exactly what the customer wanted...
The term sun grin literally means a kind of squinting expression caused by facing bright sunlight. Metaphorically, though, it indicates a fixed or humorless grin. This is part of a complete episode.
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