Ryan Thompson's definitions

greenback

A form of United States currency, specifically a Federal Reserve Note, which is the paper currency presently used by the United States. The ink on the reverse side of Federal Reserve Notes being green is what led to the nick name "greenback". To a lesser extent, Silver Certificates and United States Notes also had green backs, but the seal and serial numbers on the front were printed in blue instead of green ink. They were last issued in 1957 and 1966, respectively. Your parents probably remember them.

'Greenbacks' have been printed since before the turn of the 20th century, when the size of the paper currency was printed on was about 1/3 wider and 1/3 longer than its present size.

by Ryan Thompson January 4, 2004

Mayor McCheese

A McDonalds restaurant character that has been retired for a while now. He had a hamburger for a head.

They've retired a number of other characters, too

by Ryan Thompson January 18, 2004

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

civil union

A type of quasi-marriage some places (in the US) offer for gays and lesbians. Its marriage, but not quite marriage. It is like 'seperate but equal' in that it is inherently discriminatory.

One drinking fountain was for whites, the other was for blacks, but the one for blacks rarely worked right.

In most places in the United States only straight people can marry. For gay people, civil unions are the 'seperate but equal' answer.

by Ryan Thompson August 1, 2004

troll

An older gay male, usually over 35 or so, who hits on younger guys who aren't interested in him. When they tell him they aren't interested, the troll will often flip out and get angry. Trolls are not just something seen in chat rooms but can be found just about anywhere people hang out/gather. Many trolls are secretly into underage guys but don't talk about it unless they are talking to another troll who is into the same thing, or if they are talking one-on-one with an underage guy.

Some guys are perpetually undeservedly hit on by nothing but trolls. Just because I like classic rock doesn't mean I want to date somebody my dad's age. Get over it.

by Ryan Thompson July 6, 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