Dark Nexus

score

hopscotch – A game in which one must “hop” over the lines scratched in the ground; scotch means “scratched” or “to score.” It was once called hop-score. More…

Apgar score – A measure of a baby’s wellbeing that takes into account respiratory effort, skin color, heart rate, muscle tone, and sense of smell—named for American anesthetist Virginia Apgar. More…

earned run – In baseball, a run scored without the aid of errors by the opposing team’s fielders. More…

points in the paint – Refers to basketball points scored from within the free-throw lane. More…

loose talk

Uninhibited, indiscreet talk or conversation, especially as might unintentionally lead to revealing private or sensitive information to others. Watch the video

Ha-Ha

In garden design, a ha-ha is a trench that forms a physical barrier, usually to keep out livestock, without interrupting the view or aesthetics of the garden. Before the advent of mechanical lawnmowers, the ha-ha—also called a sunk fence—ensured that grazing sheep trimmed outside grasses without destroying the lawn. In 2005, the Washington Monument was surrounded by a ha-ha for security purposes. How, according to English writer Horace Walpole, did the ha-ha supposedly get its name? Discuss

contrivance

Definition: (noun) An elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient.

Synonyms: stratagem, plan, design, measure, scheme, trick, plot, dodge, expedient, ruse, artifice, machination.

Usage: This “shortage” is nothing more than a contrivance to raise prices.

Discuss

joint

fishplate – A type of metal plate used to strengthen a joint (from fish, meaning “mend”). More…

seam – Etymologically, a joint made by sewing. More…

ankylosis – Stiffness or immobility in a joint. More…

arthralgia, arthritis – Arthralgia is pain in a joint, from Greek arthron, “joint,” which also gives us the word arthritis. More…

Fasinada

Fasinada is a commemoration of the tiny island of Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Chisels) off Montenegro. The island, according to the story, was once nothing more than a rock; sailors dumped stones there until an island was formed, and in the 17th century a church was built on the pile of rocks. The festival includes a procession to the island of boats decorated with garlands of flowers and loaded with rocks. The rocks are piled up to reinforce the shores of the island, and then the participants enjoy folk dancing and country sports and games. Discuss

loose lip(s)

The practice, habit, or manner of speaking too frequently and/or without discretion, especially as might unintentionally lead to revealing private or sensitive information to others. Watch the video

Colma, CA

There is a good reason the motto of residents of Colma, California, is “It’s great to be alive in Colma!” The Bay Area city was founded as a necropolis in 1924 and is now home to 18 cemeteries—17 for humans and one for pets—containing the final resting places of Joe DiMaggio, Wyatt Earp, and William Randolph Hearst, among many others. Most of the city’s land is devoted to memorial parks. What city once passed an ordinance evicting all of its cemeteries, resulting in their relocation to Colma? Discuss

abysmal

Definition: (adjective) Extremely or hopelessly bad or severe.

Synonyms: dreadful, terrible, awful, appalling, dismal, dire, ghastly, hideous, atrocious, godawful.

Usage: We have been having abysmal weather lately, but the Sun is finally expected to make an appearance next week!

Discuss

knights

on one’s high horse – At one time, knights, kings, and other VIPs rode on chargers, while ladies and others rode on smaller saddle horses, begetting the phrase “on one’s high horse.” More…

full tilt – Meaning “full speed,” it is from the encounter at full gallop of knights in a tilt (lance combat). More…