Definitions by Earl F. Parrish

mother wit 

Innate intelligence, common sense

If you had any mother wit, you would not look for a gas leak with a match.
You don't have the sense you were born with.

mother wit by Earl F. Parrish August 20, 2006

Short arm inspection

An medical inspection in the military where soldiers are checked for sexually transmitted disease.

I failed the short arm inspection because I had a leaking faucet.

Short arm inspection by Earl F. Parrish May 28, 2006

cat's paw 

A Guinea pig i.e. someone to do the dangerous work.

A monkey wanted some chestnuts which were roasting in the ashes of the fireplace. A cat was sleeping on the hearth. To avoid getting burned, the monkey used the cat's paw to drag the chestnuts out of the ashes.

cat's paw by Earl F. Parrish February 28, 2006