Ryan Thompson's definitions

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

Volkswagen W12

Volkswagen's upcoming sportscar model, so-named because of its W12 engine. It has 12 cylinders, arranged in a 'W' -- Take two narrow-angle four-valve V6 engines and configure them at an angle of 72 degrees apart from one another with a shared crankshaft. This layout could be described as a "V-V" arrangement, or a "W." The result has 6.0 liters generating 600 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 458 lb-ft of torque at 5,800 rpm.The engine is incredibly powerful, capable of 217 mph (350 km/h).

Not to be confused with the upcoming Volkswagen Phaeton, which will contain a smaller W12 engine, and very likely be available in the American market long before the VW W12 is.

by Ryan Thompson November 6, 2004

limousine

A luxury car with a division window between the front and back seat, which can be raised and lowered by the occupants.

In America, limousines originally rolled off the assembly line as complete cars. They weren't super-stretched monsters. Around the late-1970s, early-1980s, companies began taking pre-existing cars (Cadillacs and Lincolns being the most popular choice) and stretching them by cutting them from one side to the other, between the front and rear doors, and 'filling in' in the middle.

Cadillac's Fleetwood Series 75 model.

by Ryan Thompson January 10, 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

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

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