Jrob 's definitions

Po-tay-to po-tah-to

Taken from the Louis Armstrong Lyrics to "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off":
"You like potato and I like potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, Tomato, tomahto, Let's call the whole thing off."
Used by somebody comparing two things that are essentially interchangeable or two words for the same thing.

Republicans - Right-wing crooks. Po-tay-to po-tah-to.

by JRob August 8, 2005

rumint

"rumor intelligence" - iIntelligence information based on rumors rather than facts.

Much of the Bush administration's evidence for Iraq's reconstituted nuclear program, thriving chemical-biological development program, and active Iraqi link with Al Qaeda was based on what intelligence analysts call "rumint."

by JRob October 28, 2005

dread merchant

A person who makes a living by predicting disasters and worst-case scenarios.

Guy1: What's the news, man?

Guy2: Bird Flu, terrorists, hurricanes, global warming, the price of gasoline and natural gas and electricity skyrocketing, death toll in Iraq . . .

Guy1: Boy, the dread merchants are busy lately!

by JRob November 7, 2005

ransom factor

The tendency for one party in a civil case to settle out of court to avoid the potentially high cost of fighting the case.

Newspaper publishers, when faced with a potential libel case, often try to settle out of court by paying a ransom factor rather than take their chances with a jury trial.

by JRob November 3, 2005

lifehack

A tool or technique that makes some aspect of one's life easier or more efficient.

Web sites now exist, where lifehacker (followers of the movement) can trade lifehacks - suggestions on how to reduce chaos and make their lives more enjoyable.

by JRob December 7, 2005

familymoon

A honeymoon in which the bride and groom also bring their children from previous marriages.

With three birthdays, a wedding and a "familymoon," we've had a lot of celebrations in our family lately.

by JRob October 7, 2005

bait car

A vehicle, monitored by the police, that is used to tempt a car thief into stealing it.

The Vancouver police operate with "bait cars" to trap car thieves. The vehicles, equipped with disabling devices and global-positioning equipment, are parked in a lot where thieves have been active. The bait-car program is well known to car thieves, who consider the practice unsporting,

by JRob November 18, 2005