Tom from the Shore's definitions

H.O.

1) A specific type of model electric train. Known both as H.O. scale and H.O. gauge. The letters come from "Half-O", since H.O. was originally half the size of an O gauge train. The scale of H.O. is 1/67, and its gauge is 16.5mm. H.O. trains are the most popular size in the world.

2) the scale of H.O. trains, which is 1/87. It can eb applied to trains, minitaure figures, or model kits.

1) Jimmy has a set of H.O. trains running in his basement.

The Hobby Shop carries H.O. trains

2) Are those model plains 1/72 or H.O. scale?

This diorama is done to a precise H.O. scale.

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

O27

An older type of toy electric train, so named beccause it was meant to travers a 27 inch diameter curve. Usually sold as a cheaper version of O Gauge, a common train typified by makers such as Lionel. O27 was made by Ives, Lionel, Marx and K-Line. It is still made by Lionel.

O27 has the same gauge (distance bwteen outer rails) as regular O Gauge trains. This distance is 1 and 1/4 inches.

I have one of those Marx O27 sets.

The O27 is not as fancy as O Gauge, but it is a lot of fun!

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

Australian rocket scientist

A manual laborer, expecially one involved in digging, excavation. So called because the Australians are known as "diggers" and regarded as being rather dense.

He was digging a ditch, a regular Australian rocket scientist!

by Tom from the Shore November 10, 2007

Lionel

A term often used to refer to a toy or model train. Lionel is a company that has been making electric trains for over 100 years. Its name has become synonymous with model trains in America. Lionel is often used as a catch-all term for electric trains, whether they are Lionel brand or not. Most of the time, the term refers to the three-rail "O" and "O27" gauge trains. However, it can refer to any model train.

Every holiday season, John has a Lionel running under the Yule tree.

My grandfather used to have Lionels.

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

Australian babysitter

A bartender. So called because Australians gets so drunk that the bartender feels more like a babysitter.

Jimmy is the Australian babysitter at Mickey's Pub.

Joe had a side job as Australian babysitter at a gin mill

by Tom from the Shore September 14, 2012

O Gauge

A size of toy or model electric train. O is the size, and gauge refers to the distance between the outer rails. The gauge of the O train is 1 and 1/4 inches. The most prolific maker was Lionel. O gauge also refers to the basic curve of Lionel trains, that being 31 inches in diameter.

We have an O gauge model railway in the basement.

Lionel makes O Gauge, which is larger than H.O.

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

High angle primers

Field artillery slang. High angle primers are a nonexistent item that is used to trick rookies. Often used to send unsuspecting rookies on a wild goose chase.(Regular artillery primers work at low and high angles, so there is no high-angle version of them).

"Go down to the motor pool and ask Sergeant Williams for some high angle primers."

by Tom from the Shore November 19, 2007