Jasper Ferg's definitions

MLA

Stands for Member of Legislative Assembly, used in Canadian provinces for provincial elected representatives, especially in Quebec.

The MLAs voted down the House Leader's budget proposal, creating the risk of a government shutdown.

by Jasper Ferg April 6, 2012

stick of fire

A short time. The short time it would take to burn a stick, as opposed to a log.

Expression is common in Trinidad and among Trinis living in US and Canada.

You staying for dinner?

Nah, I just dropped by for a stick of fire.

by Jasper Ferg October 10, 2011

texpert

Person with lots of book learning but little practical experience or knowledge. A pedant.

From the Beatles' song "I Am the Walrus".

"Expert, texpert, choking smoker, don't you hear the joker laugh at you?"

by Jasper Ferg March 20, 2011

air support

Back-up from your boss. Help from an executive when getting resistance to an initiative or idea from others -- especially others who outrank you.

I won't be able to get my proposed budget for budgie breeding research wothout air support from the VP R&D.

by Jasper Ferg March 19, 2011

tiger-mouse

A small-sized person or child with big-sized courage, heart and a bit scrappy. Loyal, he or she will stand up for his/her friends. Wlling to scrap with much larger opponents.

My five year-old picked a fight with the twleve-year old next door -- what a tiger-mouse!

by Jasper Ferg March 19, 2011

staffpower

The number of employees in an organization. The size of a company's staff complement.

Gender-neutral version of "manpower"

We lack the staffpower to grow this business: we need to recruit more account reps.

by Jasper Ferg March 19, 2011

SMI

Subject Matter Ignoramus: used to describe a manager or executive who supposedly knows "how to lead" but knows nothing about the actual business or activities he or she is supposed to manage. Pronounced "smigh" -- rhymes with "sigh".

Opposite of subject matter expert (SME).

They've hired a SMI to head up the Roads Department: the guy can't tell concrete from asphalt -- hell, he doesn't even drive.

by Jasper Ferg March 19, 2011