straw dog
n.— «Bishops have always been free to theological form their own diocese. If this were not the case how was Mr. Schofield able to keep from ordaining women all those twenty years? This ladies and gentlemen, is what I believe is known in some circles as a “STRAWDOG.”» —“Telephone Call For Mr. John David Schofield” by Fred Schwartz Real Anglicans Dec. 21, 2008. (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...
When you had sleepovers as a child, what did you call the makeshift beds you made on the floor? In some places, you call those bedclothes and blankets a pallet. This word comes from an old term for “straw.” And: What’s the story...