lily-pad n.— «This is obviously a system that creates not only stunned authors but also “star” editors. These stars whizz from house to house (often at dizzying speeds) trailing a galaxy of authors behind them; often they are...
freedom of the bathroom n.— «According to prolific writer Isaac Asimov, when two people share two bathrooms, each has “freedom of the bathroom.” This freedom entails using the resource whenever, for however long, and for...
gymbot n.— «I suspect we’re learning that the body is a machine—not a sensual, flexible collective of organs and muscle and bone and skin, but a machine we can “work out” with.…Even if the metaphor has some merit...
stick the landing v. phr.— «Ted Koppel put it this way: Today’s made-for-TV conventions are to the political process what synchronized swimming is to water polo: “choreographed within an inch of its life.” And to borrow...
oil spot strategy n. a tactic in which a political or military organization secures an area to be used as a launch site for campaigns to other areas. Also oil spot theory. Editorial Note: Also known as the ink blot strategy. The French version of...
boot room n.— «Bill Shankly began it when he became Liverpool manager in 1959. Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, who went on to win four European Cups between them, spent long hours during their formative coaching years under Shankly discussing...