7 definitions by FitofPeak2
A problem, especially one encountered in large organizations, that is smaller in scale than can easily be fixed with the large-scale tools on hand, leading to great life-is-too-short frustration with one's inability to immediately solve it. For example: you need $7 more than you thought to pay for the lunch just delivered for your office meeting, which can be paid for only in cash, but to obtain petty cash you must fill out three different forms and get two managerial approvals. Or, you need to swat a fly, but all you have is a sledgehammer.
Mark: Unbelievable, I just want to put this birthday card in the outgoing office mail, but I asked Ted if it was OK, and he says I have to fill out an MC-1453 "Request for Personal-Use Policy Exception" form and get two signatures. I thought that was only for, like, taking a company car or using a conference room for some nonbusiness reason.
JoAnn: Small problem problem, dude. I'd just slip it in there and move on, life's too short.
JoAnn: Small problem problem, dude. I'd just slip it in there and move on, life's too short.
by FitofPeak2 August 30, 2023
A principle invoked when urging someone to persevere despite initial failure, which fully stated is: "You don't need me to remind you, when things don't go well the first time, try again." So named because it is drawn from two familiar premises: (a) persevering is like riding a bike, you never forget how, and (b) when you fall off a horse, you get right back on and give it another go.
My nephew just failed the bar a second time and was ready to hang it up, but I reminded him of the Bike/Horse Rule and told him to sign up for the thing again, he'll get it.
by FitofPeak2 February 17, 2022
A tongue-in-cheek name for rust removal duty (ferrous oxide being the precursor to rust on steel objects), especially on Navy ships, playing on the vivid contrast between the tedious and highly unpleasant nature of the duty, involving the use of wire brushes and toxic chemicals often under a blazing sun, compared to the delightful, carefree leisure tableau depicted by the three teen protagonists of the 1986 Matthew Broderick film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
Chief Petty Officer: It's your lucky day, sailor -- two weeks of Ferrous Oxide's Day Off starting at eight bells.
Sailor: Aye-aye, Chief.
Chief Petty Officer: And don't ask my daughter out again.
Sailor: Aye-aye, Chief.
Chief Petty Officer: And don't ask my daughter out again.
by FitofPeak2 September 28, 2023
Medical vernacular for a colonoscopy (colon) and an upper endoscopy (stomach) performed in one visit to the doctor -- aka the "spit roast."
My gastroenterologist thought it would be a good idea to check both my stomach and my colon, so I had to go in for an In 'N' Out Drive-Thru last week. Came back clean. Are you overdue for yours?
by FitofPeak2 January 22, 2022
Also known as the Aargh Quotient, the Tool-Problem Ratio (“TPR”) is a DIY term expressing the relationship between a physical problem to be fixed and the tool available for the task. A 1:1 ratio reflects that the tool is perfect for the job -- e.g., when a nail clipper is available to trim a toenail, the TPR is 1:1. Ratios of greater than 1:1 indicate that the tool available is excessive relative to the job: a chainsaw generates a ratio of, say, 200:1 for toenail trimming. Ratios of less than 1:1 indicate that the tool at hand is inadequate for the task: a toenail clipper produces a ratio of, say, 1:1000 for cutting down a Christmas tree. Depending on the TPR, responsive behaviors may range from mild (swearing, sighing disgustedly), to driving to the hardware store, to breaking the workpiece or the tool violently.
Faced with a Tool-Problem Ratio ("TPR") of about 1:10 when his flat-blade screwdriver was too big to loosen the Phillips-head screw on his range vent, Bob intoned “Jesus H. Christ” under his breath and motored off to Home Depot.
by FitofPeak2 September 4, 2023
Humorless; dour; unsmiling.
Man, Bill's roommate is severely amusocompromised -- we must have watched six "Seinfelds" last night and the guy didn't crack a smile the whole time.
by FitofPeak2 December 7, 2021
To persevere relentlessly and never quit. From Winston Churchill's famous speech at Harrow School in the darkest days of World War II, in which he said: "Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in."
Hon, I know you've missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon four times, but you're only four minutes away. Time to do a Churchill, sign up for Los Angeles next winter, and get your ten miles in today.
by FitofPeak2 February 26, 2022