jrob's definitions

piss-off factor

An object's component or quality that has the potential to annoy or anger a person viewing or using the object.

Web browser pop-up ads tend to have a very high piss-off factor.

by JRob November 18, 2005

zero drag

highly motivated employee who has few personal responsibilities and so can work long hours, travel frequently, or be called in to work with little notice.

The ideal zero drag employee is young, unmarried and childless with no responsibilities and an eagerness to do well.

by JRob October 28, 2005

Iraqnophobia

An unusually strong fear of Iraq, especially its ability to manufacture and use biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. (A play on arachnophobia, an unusually strong fear of spiders.)

Now that September is here, President Bush can launch his "initial public offering" of stock in his newest product, Iraqnophobia.

by JRob October 5, 2005

dread merchant

A person who makes a living by predicting disasters and worst-case scenarios.

Guy1: What's the news, man?

Guy2: Bird Flu, terrorists, hurricanes, global warming, the price of gasoline and natural gas and electricity skyrocketing, death toll in Iraq . . .

Guy1: Boy, the dread merchants are busy lately!

by JRob November 7, 2005

ransom factor

The tendency for one party in a civil case to settle out of court to avoid the potentially high cost of fighting the case.

Newspaper publishers, when faced with a potential libel case, often try to settle out of court by paying a ransom factor rather than take their chances with a jury trial.

by JRob November 3, 2005

bait car

A vehicle, monitored by the police, that is used to tempt a car thief into stealing it.

The Vancouver police operate with "bait cars" to trap car thieves. The vehicles, equipped with disabling devices and global-positioning equipment, are parked in a lot where thieves have been active. The bait-car program is well known to car thieves, who consider the practice unsporting,

by JRob November 18, 2005

midair passenger exchange

Seen on blogs, this is grim air-traffic-controller speak for a head-on collision. Midair passenger exchanges are quickly followed by "aluminum rain".

Controller 1: Man, THAT was a close call!
Controller 2: Yeah - we almost had a midair passenger exchange!

by JRob January 1, 2012