Speedog's definitions

Traveller

Name: the equestrian mount of Confederate General Robert E. Lee during his service as commander of The Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War (a.k.a. The War Between the States).

During the Battle of Gettysburg, Traveller maintained his composure regardless of the bullets that were flying around himself and General Lee.

by speedog June 16, 2010

crash-launch

Noun (spaceflight terminology): to instantly activate the engine(s) of a terrestrial-situated spacecraft at 100% power, with no consideration of standard sequential gradation of thrust, in an attempt to immediately escape from an emergency situation.

"When Commander Leonov observed the escape tower separating from the Soyuz vehicle, he instantly engaged the crash-launch procedure, and saved his entire crew."

by speedog May 2, 2010

Operation Sea Lion

Noun: code name for the planned invasion of Great Britain by Nazi Germany in 1940 (German trans: "Unternehmen Seelöwe"); plan defeated by British forces on land, sea and air.

After Goering's Luftwaffe failed to achieve air superiority over Britain, Hitler was forced to cancel Operation Sea Lion.

by speedog June 25, 2010

Admiral of the Ocean Sea

Noun (naval terminology): the universally supreme naval rank, awarded historically only to one seaman (Christopher Columbus) jointly by HRM Ferdinand and HRM Isabella of Spain, in recognition of his achievement in successfully navigating the Atlantic Ocean westward and (presumed at the time) the discovery of a shorter, less hazardous, and less expensive trading route to India from Europe.

"Upon his return from his first voyage to America, Christopher Columbus received the rank and title of "Admiral of the Ocean Sea" from Ferdinand and Isabella,
which rank he holds in perpetuity."

by speedog May 2, 2010

hands up

The universally accepted gesture of, or order thereof, surrender between any combatants in which the surrendering party(s) hands are elevated 90 degrees vertically without weapons, in order to visually display the non-possession of any weapon, and the voluntary cessation of all hostile action on behalf of the surrendering party(s).

"When the Allied forces exited their trenches and advanced forward, the Axis soldiers came out with their hands up.)

by speedog May 2, 2010

slight the colors

Phrase (military parlance): to deliberately present a captured enemy flag or banner in an insulting manner, most usually by inclining the supporting staff downwards so that the flag or banner itself touches the ground.

Following the surrender of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad, the order was given by General Zhukov to slight the colors of the defeated German forces.

by speedog July 7, 2010

Easy A

Noun (American slang): a positive educational grade obtained by other than accepted academic means, usually via the granting of sexual favors, or other compensation, by the student to the educator who subsequently issues the grade.

Tracy was about to flunk science, until she got an Easy A after she hooked up with the science teacher.

by speedog June 22, 2010