Ryan Thompson's definitions
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
Get the greenbackmug. 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.
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
Get the civil unionmug. Hallucination. Your vision shows a double image, one slightly off center from the other. Sometimes associated with illness or drug use.
Jake has a disease that affects his balance. Sometimes he has to sit down until he stops seeing double and the spinning goes away.
by Ryan Thompson June 16, 2004
Get the seeing doublemug. When one accidently drops food, not held in a container or wrapper, on the ground. The rule states that if you pick it up within 5 seconds, it won't be contaminated. There is also a '10 second rule' variation. Unfortunately, both rules are urban legends -- The speed with which you can pick the food article back up has no bearing on whether it may receive germs.
Person A: "Crap, dropped a cookie."
Person B: "5 second rule!!"
Person A scrambles to pick up food article
Person B: "5 second rule!!"
Person A scrambles to pick up food article
by Ryan Thompson July 9, 2004
Get the 5 second rulemug. 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
Get the Vanishing Americanamug. by Ryan Thompson July 15, 2004
Get the trucker capmug. Sapphire is a type of corundum. It occurs in every color except red, because red corundum is ruby. It is actually more durable than diamond, even though diamond can't be scratched. Durability in this case refers to corundum's ability to withstand wear and tear.
Some sapphires grow in the earth in such a way that when they are cut cabochon style (which is basically a smooth, domed shape), they display a six-rayed star that moves around as the stone is moved around a fixed light source. This is refered to as "asterism".
Some sapphires grow in the earth in such a way that when they are cut cabochon style (which is basically a smooth, domed shape), they display a six-rayed star that moves around as the stone is moved around a fixed light source. This is refered to as "asterism".
The Rockefeller Sapphire, blue, 62 carats.
The Star of India, grayish blue, 563 cts.
The Star of Asia, blue, 330 carats.
The Stuart Sapphire, blue, 104 cts.
The Star of India, grayish blue, 563 cts.
The Star of Asia, blue, 330 carats.
The Stuart Sapphire, blue, 104 cts.
by Ryan Thompson January 7, 2004
Get the sapphiremug.