Ryan Thompson's definitions

incentive

Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or motivates effort.

Jake was promised free entry into the bar if he mowed the lawn for his neighbor.

by Ryan Thompson July 19, 2004

gay marriage

When two people of the same gender get married. Has been legal in most European countries for many years now. If it were legalized in the United States, whether you agree with it or not, it would put a lot of money into the economy. Many people would move into bigger houses or apartments, buy different/newer/bigger cars, and so on. At one time it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry in many places in the United States. Straight couples have already set an excellent example of marriage in the US, with two-thirds of marriages here ending in divorce. 'Sanctity'?

We must protect the sanctity of Britney Spears' 48-hour marriage and Mario "A.C. Slater" Lopez's two-week marriage and Nicky Hilton's 84-day marriage.

The Sanctity of Straight Marriage Math:

3 Rush Limbaugh
3 Jennifer Lopez
+2 Ronald Reagan
__________________
8 Elizabeth Taylor

by Ryan Thompson February 13, 2005

trucker cap

An overpriced baseball cap. See Von Dutch clothing/apparell.

California has a lot of places that sell Von Dutch.

by Ryan Thompson July 15, 2004

fundy

The mispelled version of the word fundie.

The fundies stared at me. It was creepy.

by Ryan Thompson January 9, 2004

Vanishing Americana

A term for Americanisms or inventions that are gradually disappearing, as described in the book "Going Going Gone: Vanishing Americana" by by Susan Jonas and Marilyn Nissenson.

Hood ornaments. Prank phone calls. Phonebooths with doors. Blue laws. Hitchiking. Men's clubs. Garter belts. The 'Red Menace'. Typewriters. Rotary telephones.

by Ryan Thompson January 6, 2004

ruby

Gemstone in the corundum family. Ranges from deep pink to blood red to purple-red. Birthstone for July. Mined primarily in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Australia and India.

The gem is difficult to find without internal flaws and in deep color. The element chromium is responsible for the red color. Heat treatment is very common in ruby (as in all corundums). Ruby may be any color of red depending on the chromium and iron content of the stone. Sometimes the stones display a 6-rayed star effect when cut as cabochon (dome-shaped) stones.

It is also very, very difficult to find in larger sizes. In 1988, a 15.97-carat unheated Burmese ruby known as the Mogok Ruby was sold by Sotheby's auction house in New York for $3,630,000.

It is actually the most valuable gemstone in the world, more valuable than diamond.

by Ryan Thompson December 30, 2004

Fartman

A fictional superhero created by radio/TV personality Howard Stern.

Fartman split open that amplifier at that awards show on MTV.

by Ryan Thompson January 4, 2004