Speedog's definitions

Roman salute

Noun: a manner of military salutation allegedly peculiar to ancient Rome, in which the right arm and hand are extended and elevated in the direction of any superior officer, or in the absence of any such superior, in the geographical direction of Rome itself, accompanied by the Latin phrase "Ave Caesar" ("Hail Caesar").

"Immediately upon taking command of the Antonia fortress, the tribune Messala executed the Roman salute to the former fortress commandant."

by speedog May 2, 2010

POD

Acronym: Passed Out Drunk

After the party nobody could locate Chuck, but it turned out he was POD in the back of Wendy's van.

by speedog July 7, 2010

shoot the pier

(Surfing term): to maneuver one's surfboard in such a manner as to attempt to pass with safety between the supporting pilings of a pier; either "head on", meaning to pass directly under the entire pier from its oceanside terminus to the beach; or "side on", meaning to pass from one side of the pier to the other at an angle oblique to the shoreline prior to reaching the beach.

"Gary said he was going to try and shoot the pier on his longboard, but we talked him out of it."

by Speedog February 1, 2010

To Protect and To Serve

Phrase: the motto of the Los Angeles Police Department.

'Displayed prominently on all LAPD vehicles is the phrase: To Protect and To Serve".

by speedog May 3, 2010

nova

Noun (astrophysics terminology): the catastrophic self-destruction of a "main sequence" stellar body via a runaway nuclear fusion reaction caused by the accretion of hydrogen atoms over time, surpassing the star's ability to burn off the accreted hydrogen prior to the initiation of the reaction.

The Crab Nebula was originally thought to be the product of a nova explosion, but is now known to be the result of the supernova of star Taurus-A.

by speedog July 10, 2010

against her will is against the law

Expression (chiefly American): an admonition to males engaging in sexual behavior with females that at any time the female expresses the wish to cease such activity, the male must immediately comply or risk potential legal consequences.

Any guy out on the town needs to remember the mantra "against her will is against the law."

by speedog June 25, 2010

Climb Mount Nitaka

Phrase (WW II Japanese military): code phrase authorizing the activation of "Operation Z", the Japanese attack on U.S. naval forces based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Once Emperor Hirohito had given his assent to Operation Z, the code phrase "Climb Mount Nitaka" was transmitted to Admiral Yamamoto.

by speedog July 7, 2010