Balbulican's definitions

Atlas Shrugged

A very large novel by Ayn Rand, a shallow but popular important Conservative thinker of the early to mid twentieth century. It explores many of the themes that later found their expression in Libertarian philosophy. Noteworthy for its interesting political views, paper thin characters and an awkward, implausible plot.

"Atlas Shrugged" is a book that really impresses people who haven't read much good fiction.

by balbulican July 21, 2004

Pulp-Fiction

1) Popular fiction produced in the 1950s and published in inexpensive periodicals nicknamed "pulps" for the inferior quality of paper they used, compared the "slicks" (e.g., Life or Time magazine.) Most frequently used to describe detective, western, or science fiction writin of the period. 2) Title of a 1994 film by Quentin Tarantino.

Ray Bradbury and Louis L'Amour are two well known American authors who began their literary careers as writers of pulp fiction.

by balbulican August 8, 2004

Ficki

A fictional biography of a real person, usually written in the style of a Wikipedia entry - hence the term "Ficki" (Fiction + Wiki)

The ficki on my blog describes me as "a retired Anglican preacher who raises peonies": but in the real world, I'm actually a twenty-two year old Zamboni driver.

by balbulican March 15, 2009

ding a ling

1) Penis. Originally emerged in American black popular music, first made known to a wider audience by Chuck Berry in the song "My Ding a Ling".

2) Pejorative term suggesting stupidity.

1) "Y'all must be playin' with your own ding a ling!" Chuck Berry

2) So he tried for four hours to charge his laptop, and then realized that he hadn't installed the battery.

by balbulican July 16, 2004

skit

A short piece of theatre, often improvised.

The actors then performed an amusing skit about a penguin and a spiked tennis racket.

by balbulican February 26, 2004

bidniss

A humorous mispronunciation of the word "business", meant satirically to suggest criminal intent.

"I just wanna get together and talk a little...bidness, you know?" said Tony Soprano, glancing shrewdly at Luigi.

by balbulican July 14, 2004

do wop

(also "doo wop")

A form of popular music, primarily but not exclusively the domain of black performers, which achieved prominence in the 1950s. Its most prominent element is close, multipart vocal harmonies, sometimes rendered accapella. The term "do wop" is typical of the the nonsense syllables often used as a chorus.

"The Great Pretender" by the Platters is probably the best known example of Do Wop music.

by balbulican August 3, 2004