lily pad
n.— «McPhillips described the operation as “building an air bridge” to the Mideast, with stops at “lily pads along the way” in addition to aerial refueling.» —“Buildup Order Kicks Air Base Into High Gear” by Robert Goodrich St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Mo.) Nov. 13, 1998. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when people disagreed over the best word to use when answering the phone. Alexander Graham Bell suggested answering with ahoy! but Thomas Edison was partial to hello! A fascinating new book about...
Book recommendations and the art of apology. Martha and Grant share some good reads, including an opinionated romp through English grammar, a Spanish-language adventure novel, an account of 19th-century dictionary wars, and a gorgeously illustrated...