knowman's definitions

rotten grapes

A goal or object that looked really desirable from a distance, but not worth the cost close up. From grapes that looked good on the vine , but proved rotten when eaten-ed. The opposite of sour grapes.

How's the new computer? Rotten grapes, and it's going back.

by knowman December 26, 2011

King Lake

A place where it is possible to own a $1,000,000 plus house and not the land it sits on. All the land is owned by the Archibald family and leased to the other residents. Leases are for a fixed number of years and are good for the original lessee only, anything that violates the terms of these very complicated leases can result in voiding the lease and having to sell or tear down your building. The difficulty in buying into King Lake is really a protection for social climbers, if you step on the wrong toes you can lose your lease, your house and be booted out with no legal recourse.

Edmund bought his king Lake place for a song the former owner lost his lease and had to sell the house or tear it down.

by knowman April 4, 2008

optical delusion

When you see things as you want them to be, not as they really are.

That fox is really staring at me, she wants me to know that she wants me. Dude you're under an optical delusion, that's a glare not a stare, and if you go over there, she'll slap you blind.

by knowman September 14, 2012

not keeping up with the Jone's

Not buying the latest and greatest, making do with what you have, because you have more important places to put the money, such as your kids education or your retirement.

Why am I not keeping up with the Jone's ? My son and my money both go to Marquette.

by knowman April 12, 2008

east omaha tags

Home made paper in transit tags that are used to avoid paying to register a car. The date on the tags is changed from time to time in an attempt to make them appear legal. Real plates taken off a junk car or from the junkyard. Used to avoid getting required liability insurance.

Bob should change his east omaha tags they're turning yellow. I got busted because the car I was driving had east omaha tags, and it wasn't my car. Dave got nailed for east omaha tags, and no insurance.

by knowman March 12, 2008

Obama

Obama a sacred cow that you are not supposed to criticize.

When I said I wouldn't vote for Obama because he didn't have a track record Judy went rabid on me.

by knowman April 13, 2008

hillbilly engineering

Having to make due with what you have, because you know you won't be getting anything else. Creations that aren't sophisticated or pretty but they get the job done.

The system of cables they use to move cut timber down the mountain has got to be the ultimate in hillbilly engineering.

by knowman March 30, 2008