Joe Rodolico's definitions

karaoke

Singing without a live orchestra or band. Originally meaning "without orchestra," it is a combination of Japanese "kara" meaning "empty/bare-handed" as in "karate", and the "okee" sound from the first syllable of "orchestra" as pronounced by Japanese.

The guy who thought up karaoke created a bar owner's dream, because as patrons provide their own entertainment by singing along with a machine, management saves a fortune by not hiring talented musicians.

by Joe Rodolico February 11, 2007

ninja loan

An acronym for a loan given to a person designated as "No income, no job or assets;" hence - N-I-N-J-A.

The bank's ninja loans have ruined its credit rating. Now, no other bank will lend it money.

by Joe Rodolico September 23, 2007

H-Hour

A redundancy in military jargon signifying the exact hour for an operation to begin. Big "H" for "big hour".

The invasion of the enemy held island began at H-Hour, 05:00.

by Joe Rodolico February 10, 2007

two-thousandaire

A member of America's class of home-owning families with only two thousand dollars in savings. Deeply in debt, they live from paycheck to paycheck dreading any unforseen financial catastrophies such as a sudden illness or unemployment. First coined by Karen De Coster and Eric Englund.

Taking out a home equity loan might seem like a good idea to a two-thousandaire, unless one gets laid off and ends up penniless.

by Joe Rodolico July 1, 2006

frugalista

A new breed of thrift shoppers that will trample or kill anyone who stands in between them and a bargain.

Black Friday was really sad this year when a mob of frugalistas trampled a guy to death just to save a few dollars on Christmas shopping.

by Joe Rodolico December 16, 2008