A Way with Words | neck

taco neck

Posted by Grant Barrett on June 4, 2008 · Add Comment

taco neck n.— «On a Tuesday afternoon in March, I woke up with what I call “taco neck.” The muscles on one side of my neck had locked, and my head leaned to the other side, as if I was about to take a bite from a taco.» —“Ending with a question” by George Rede The Oregonian (Portland) June 2, 2008. [...]

deguttling

Posted by Grant Barrett on May 30, 2008 · Add Comment

deguttling n.— «Video footage (which, for those in offices, could probably be viewed on a site called something like Shouldn’t-you-be-getting-on-with-your-work?dotcom) reveals Tevez rubbing the back of his neck as Terry walks away, opening up speculation that the Chelsea captain left Tevez a “present.” Did Terry spit on Tevez? A source on The Observer sports desk believes [...]

god bump

Posted by Grant Barrett on March 14, 2008 · Add Comment

god bump n.— «As we climbed up the mountain, we met the pastor of the village and he said that he had been praying for two years for help.…I got what I call “God bumps” on the back of my neck because I realized that I was the help he was praying for.» —“From reporter to backpack [...]

violin hickey

Posted by Grant Barrett on February 27, 2008 · Add Comment

violin hickey n.— «Also visible, up close, is the distinct dark red mark on New’s neck that makes some strangers stare or whisper. But don’t blame her husband, principal trombonist John McPherson. He’s great with his lips, but New’s love bite comes from her instrument. “Everyone refers to them as their violin hickey,” she said, touching [...]

container syndrome

Posted by Grant Barrett on January 29, 2008 · Add Comment

container syndrome n.— Note: Related to sense 2 of bucket baby. «A vocal contingent of doctors and physical therapists believe the strap-in chairs and carriers that millions of parents have come to rely on are contributing to an increase in cases of misshapen skulls, contorted neck muscles and delayed motor skills such as crawling and walking. [...]

whippy

Posted by Grant Barrett on June 7, 2007 · Add Comment

whippy n.— «The whippies, as the insurance industry calls whiplash claimants, account for this huge increase in BI claims. For the purpose of insurance statistics, whiplash is recorded as “sprains and strains,” ans since these sprains and strains nearly all involve the neck and the back, it is reasonable to equate them with whiplash.» —by Andrew Malleson Whiplash [...]

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taco neck

deguttling

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violin hickey

whippy