Tom from the Shore's definitions

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

Bucket of Muzzle Blast

Among artillerymen, a nonexistent item used to trick rookies. It is commonly used to send rookies on a wild goose chase. (Muzzle blast is the burst of smoke and fire that erupts from the muzzle when a shell is fired.)

"Private, go to the supply sergeant and see if he can find you a bucket of muzzle blast."

by Tom from the Shore November 19, 2007

Australian Think Tank

Psychiatric ward. So called because Australians have a reputation for being goofballs.

Babs had a bout of depression and spent a week in the Australian Think Tank

by Tom from the Shore November 8, 2007

Australian College

A tavern or bar room or cheap gin mill. This is due to the fact that Australians are known for excessive drinking and spending too much time in gin mills.

Joe is over at Australian College getting his load on.

The only education he got was sitting on a bar stool in Australian college.

by Tom from the Shore April 2, 2008

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

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