revolving bastard n.— «I have had a fine encounter with Pappy Selznick. I wrote you about the requirement that I send publicity to Birdwell. Well, Birdwell is the revolving bastard if there ever was one. (The Revolving Bastard, in case...
schmutzdecke n.— «This system, introduced into the U.S. in 1872, uses low water flow rates (0.05 gpm/sq ft) and relies on the formation of a “schmutzdecke” (a fine, mud-like layer) in the top surface of the fine sand (specific...
ATM adj.— «As they say in the barrio, this concert was A.T.M., totally awesome, so memorable that El Paso is asking promoters for a repeat performance.» —“The Plaza’s a fine place for legends” by Ramón Rentería El...
lick ‘n’ stick n.— «The one flaw, very simply, is that the exterior combination of manufactured stone veneer (often called “lick ‘n’ stick”) with a multicolored dryvit results in an unseemly hodgepodge.» —“Creating...
stroking n.— «Tweaking the Chase format in such minor ways would be perfectly fine if NASCAR had the courage to address the real problem. The problem isn’t how many people get to be in the 10-race “playoffs,” but the system of...
balayage au coton n.— «The shop has imported a young man named Yvan from the Carita salon in Paris to do what he calls a “balayage au cotton.” Starting at the nape, Yvan lifted out fine strands and applied a lightening paste...