ball, socket – On a clothing snap, there is a ball and a socket. More…
socket – From Middle English, first as “head of a spear, resembling a plowshare,” from an Anglo-Norman French diminutive of French soc, “plowshare.” More…
acetabulum – The socket of the hip bone, into which the head of the femur fits. More…
birn – The socket in a clarinet or other woodwind into which the mouthpiece fits. More…
This 10-day winter festival was established in 1886 in response to a newspaper story that described St. Paul, Minnesota, as “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation.” A group of local businessmen set out to publicize the area’s winter attractions, and the first winter carnival featured an Ice Palace in St. Paul’s Central Park. Since that time, an entire legend has developed about the founding of St. Paul and is reenacted each year. Other highlights include ice golf, skating, skiing, sled dog races, softball on ice, ice carving and snow sculpture contests, and a parade. Discuss
A grievous or supreme act of treachery or betrayal. (Usually preceding “of/for (someone).”) Watch the video
Toward the end of World War II, the German Luftwaffe introduced a new weaponry scheme that consisted of two airplanes attached to each other. Called the Mistel, it featured a crewless bomber packed full of explosives and mounted below a manned fighter plane. The fighter would drop or steer the entire bomber onto a target, then return alone. It was largely ineffective. In one instance, Mistel pilots who claimed to have made a successful hit may have actually done what instead? Discuss
Definition: (adjective) Calling oneself thus.
Synonyms: self-styled.
Usage: I do not think either of these soi-disant friends is overflowing with love for the other.
Discuss
Strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. Discuss
buck teeth – Large front teeth protruding over the others; the phrase may come from buck, the adult male of some animals, such as rabbits—which have this type of front teeth. More…
hightail it – Refers to animals, such as mustangs and rabbits, that raise their tails high when fleeing danger. More…
trattles – The rounded droppings of animals like rabbits and sheep. More…
angora – As in cat, goat, and rabbit, it comes from the Turkish capital Angora (till 1930), now Ankara. More…
Any miscellaneous trinket or toy, especially one that is delicate or dainty. Watch the video
Also known as fuel-air explosives, thermobaric weapons are considered to be as devastating as some nuclear weapons. Whereas most conventional explosives contain a mixture of fuel and oxygen, thermobaric weapons can hold more fuel because they rely on oxygen from the surrounding air. After a small charge is detonated to disperse the bomb’s contents into the air, a second charge is used to ignite the cloud, creating an enormous, high-pressure blast wave. What was the “Father of All Bombs”? Discuss
Definition: (adjective) Bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure.
Synonyms: condemnable, deplorable.
Usage: I must apologize for my children’s reprehensible behavior, which I assure you will not go unpunished.
Discuss