Ben Schumin's definitions

nastygram

Letter sent to an individual or organization in professional "business-angry" style, expressing displeasure about actions taken, or lack thereof.

I sent a nastygram to my cell phone provider regarding why they've not adjusted my account, and they were pretty quick to fix it after that.

by Ben Schumin December 12, 2004

Dress Out

To change clothes, as in for physical activity. Most commonly used in physical education classes regarding putting on one's gym suit.

Students are expected to dress out for class and participate each day in class unless otherwise directed by their Instructor or by Doctor's note.

by Ben Schumin November 25, 2003

clicker

Device attached to a telephone headset that, when activated, will turn off the microphone of the headset, while the customer can still be heard by the person wearing the headset.

The person hit his clicker while he laughed at the person on the other end of the line.

by Ben Schumin November 25, 2003

Mecca switch

A function that, when activated in a database, is a "smoke and mirrors" device to make features on a site appear to be nonexistent to the computer-clueless. Originally named for Mecca Marsh, hall director of Potomac Hall at James Madison University from 2000 to 2003. The term was first used in reference to menu items on The Schumin Web.

A: What happened to your page about (whatever)?
B: Oh, it's still there. I Mecca switched it, though, because my friend didn't approve. It'll be back on there before too long.

by Ben Schumin November 25, 2003

metro

Common term for Washington DC's subway system, short for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Take Metro from Franconia-Springfield to Smithsonian, and then meet me by the Natural History Museum.

by Ben Schumin November 25, 2003

WMATA

Short for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates subway and bus systems in the Washington DC area. Also called Metro. The initials are normally pronounced, particularly in regards to their Web site.

Look for a WMATA employee. They'll be able to help you.

by Ben Schumin November 25, 2003

Redbird

Class of New York subway cars that were painted red to prevent vandalism. Car classes are R36 and R33. Retired in 2003.

I took a Redbird to Grand Central as part of my commute today.

by Ben Schumin November 25, 2003