Ryan Thompson's definitions

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

emo glasses

A type of black-framed glasses often worn by emo enthusiasts and lesbians. Also occasionally seen worn by guys who are trying way too hard to look smarter than they actually are.

Emo glasses can be seen frequently in non-chain coffee shops in college towns.

by Ryan Thompson August 10, 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

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

5 second rule

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

by Ryan Thompson July 9, 2004

seeing double

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

Fifth

750 milliters of a liquid, the term is almost always used in reference to hard alcohol. (i.e. gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, triple sec, etc)

I have a fifth of Jack Daniels in the freezer. Its safe because the high alcohol content keeps it from freezing.

by Ryan Thompson July 6, 2004