Buce's definitions

chump change

The point about chump change, in the sense of money, is that the amount varies with the context. For the divorced papa paying child support, a job that pays $9 an hour offers chump change. For the 50-year-old laid off after 20 years' service, a severance package of $200,000 is chump change. What would count as chump change Cf. rounding off money.

I work 20 years for chump change and what do I get when I leave? Chump change.

by Buce October 1, 2005

Evaginate

Ah, not what you think. It means "to turn inside out."

Quit trying to evaginate me!

by Buce July 14, 2005

pity sex

What men will settle for after whimpering and wheedling and begging. No confirmed sightings, probbly an urban legend.

Pity Sex Gladly Accepted --T-Shirt.

by Buce August 7, 2005

cad and bounder

This phrase is worth noting precisely because it does not belong in this dictionary: it makes sense in a moral universe that has utterly vanished. The last "cad and bounder" died, perhaps, about 1947 (see London Daily Telegraph obituaries for further evidence).

Although they are appropriately linked, the precise meanings differ. A "cad" is one who does harm to a woman's honor or sense of self-worth as, for example, by taking her for a garden walk when he has no intention of marrying her. A "bounder" is a presumptious upstart, seemingly ignorant of, but perhaps merely indifferent to, fundamental norms of propriety.

You, sir, are a cad and a bounder.

A cad perhaps, but no bounder. My family goes back to William I.

by Buce August 9, 2005

pandersnatch

A riff on "bandersnatch," rom Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll. Also, variously, a band, an Ed McBain novel, a satirical e-journal, etc.

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!

by buce September 5, 2005

fisk

'Fisk' is developing a meaning that is broader than definition #1 but more constrained than definition #4. It's coming to designate any point-by-point (attempt at) refutation of the other guy's argument. Haven't seen it with a small "f" yet, but surely that will come soon.

Brad deLong did a nice fisking of the NYT's analysis of the employment numbers.

by buce September 5, 2005

Moneymaker

An inspirationally sculpted backside, often, though not inevitably, female--sufficiently compelling to disencumber the customer of his (sometimes her) money or good sense. In an golden age of amateurism, perhaps obsolete.

Put on your old grey bustle
And get out and hustle
For tomorrow the rent is due!

In the fields of clover
Let the boys look you over--
If you can't get five, take two.

(Shouted:) SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER!

by Buce July 14, 2005