skylab
n.— «The sole means of public transport is a motorcycle service, which someone with a curious sense of humor dubbed “the Skylab.” Skylabs appear a few times a day. Up to five people, including women holding infants, cram aboard and pay 75 pesos—about three days’ wages for a farmhand—for a ride into town.» —“Life On The Margin: Village Life In The Philippines” by Robert H. Reid in Salacafe, Philippines Associated Press Oct. 2, 1994. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Language is always evolving, and that’s also true for American Sign Language. A century ago, the sign for “telephone” was one fist below your mouth and the other at your ear, as if you’re holding an old-fashioned candlestick...
Why does the term vegetarian cause so much confusion? Some people assume it means avoiding red meat but still eating chicken. And is there a term for a vegetarian who also eats fish and poultry? Plus, screwball comedies from the 1930s mix slapstick...