Anthony Brancato's definitions

Art Deco

The predominant style of architecture, interior design etc. in North America and most of Europe during the 1930s.

The streamlined, geometric design motifs of Art Deco (from 1925) prevailed throughout the 1930s.

by Anthony Brancato April 19, 2003

tank

To deliberately lose a sporting event or contest, esp. with the intention of gaining some future advantage (such as a higher selection in an upcoming draft, etc.)

The NBA lottery was implemented in the 1980s so that non-contending teams would have less incentive to "tank" games at the end of the season in order to secure the top pick in the following summer's draft.

by Anthony Brancato April 19, 2003

PDW

Possession of a dangerous (or deadly) weapon in violation of applicable laws.

After finding a gun on the seat of the car in plain sight, the officer slapped handcuffs on the suspect while telling him, "You're under arrest for felony PDW."

by Anthony Brancato April 20, 2003

Guidoville

A neighborhood where many Guidos live or are thought to live, such as the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in New York City.

Shortly after the death of Yusuf Hawkins in Bensonhurst in 1989, columnist Pete Hamill wrote a highly controversial column in the New York Post entitled, "The Lesson of Howard Beach Was Lost on the Punks of Guidoville."

by Anthony Brancato April 20, 2003

Big Stagecoach

(usually preceded by "the") Fargo, North Dakota (due to its being the state's largest city).

It was during the peak popularity of Fargo-born singer Bobby Vee that a local disc jockey came up with the nickname "The Big Stagecoach."

by Anthony Brancato August 31, 2003

sniff a bicycle seat

to be unsuccessful, usually in a competitive endeavor; to lose, often under unfortunate or exasperating circumstances.

Al Gore got half a million more popular votes than George W. Bush in the 2000 election, but since Bush won more electoral votes that sent Bush to the White House and left Gore to sniff a bicycle seat.

by Anthony Brancato August 23, 2003

LCN

La Cosa Nostra; the Mafia (originally coined by federal law enforcement officials after U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell directed them to stop using the word "Mafia" in official correspondences, in 1970)

He was photographed coming out of a bar in Queens known to be frequented by LCN members and associates.

by Anthony Brancato June 5, 2004