Eugene206's definitions

49th parallel

Slang reference for the border between the United States and Canada. The 49th parallel of latitude does make up the western third of the U.S. - Canada border (the border dips south through the Great Lakes region), but the term refers to the entire border, referring to both the geographic and cultural divide between the two countries. Although scrutiny is understandably higher since 9/11, the border is still probably the most open international border in the world.

The 49th parallel is the longest undefended border in the world.

by Eugene206 December 8, 2006

Death Cruiser

Somewhat morbid nickname for the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 airliner, after several prominent crashes with many fatalities. Nickname frequently used by aircraft mechanics that worked on them. (Its descendant, the MD-11 was known by the mechanics as "More Death II").

"What are we working on tonight?"

"A 737 and a death cruiser."

by Eugene206 November 7, 2006

Gimli glider

1. Refers to Air Canada Boeing 767 C-GAUN (c/n 22520), which on July 23, 1983 ran out of fuel over Northern Ontario, and glided to a landing at an abandoned airfield in Gimli, Manitoba. At the time, this was the first ever dead-stick landing of a jet airliner. The aircraft was subsequently recovered from Gimli and flew for Air Canada for another 25 years before being finally retired in January 2008.

2. Subsequently, the term 'Gimli glider' has become Canadian slang for a particularly glaring screw-up.

1. Hopefully, the Gimli glider will end up in a museum.

2. You just pulled a real Gimli Glider back there.

by Eugene206 January 24, 2008

meta-celebrity

Someone famous for being famous (or infamous), particularly in the entertainment industry. A meta-celebrity is a well known celebrity, who has not done anything particularly noteworthy to justify their Fame. The late Anna Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton are two contemporary examples. Meta-celebrities do not always orginate in the entertainment industry, but they nearly always gravitate to it, often as a last ditch effort to extend their "fifteen minutes" as their profile starts to wane.

See also Professional Celebrity, Famious for being famous.

The late Anna Nicole Smith was a classic meta-celebrity

by Eugene206 February 14, 2007