Erin Catherine's definitions

sphinx

1. A mythological creature depicted as a lion with a human head. Appears in Egyptian and Greek mythology.

2. A breed of hairless cat. They are often energetic, intelligent, and affectionate.

3. The main protagonist in the video game "Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy."

The riddle of the Sphinx: what creature walks on all fours in the morning, two legs at midday, and three legs at night?

by Erin Catherine July 1, 2008

zebra

In medicine, an obscure and unlikely diagnosis based on ordinary symptoms.

When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.

by Erin Catherine July 1, 2008

pain

An annoyance, hindrance, or inconvenience.

My car broke down again. What a pain!

by Erin Catherine July 2, 2008

mad as a March hare

Crazy, insane. Refers to male hares' habit of leaping wildly about in March, their breeding season.

Calm down; you're acting mad as a March hare!

by Erin Catherine August 6, 2008

garden snake

A common but incorrect variation of "garter snake." Other variations are "gardner" and "gardener."

Calling them garden snakes would make more sense if they were found only in gardens.

by Erin Catherine August 18, 2008