Ryan Thompson's definitions

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

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

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

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

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

tanked

Two meanings:

1) Intoxicated, nearly always pertaining to alcohol.

2) When a film does poorly at the box office.

Person A: "Did you see the Hulk?"
Person B: "No. I heard it tanked, actually."

The Hulk
New York Minute
Glitter
Crossroads
Dungeons and Dragons
From Justin to Kelly
The Alamo
The Real Cancun
Troy
Spy Kids 1, 2 and 3
Gigli
Scooby Doo 1 and 2

etc etc etc

by Ryan Thompson July 11, 2004

Birfing babies

Ebonics. To give birth to a child, or children. Actual spelling of this term is 'birthing babies', even though it is pronounced differently. Even the correct pronunciation isn't really used outside the world of ebonics.

Lemongelo said birfin' babies was usually part of married (and unmarried) life.

by Ryan Thompson September 5, 2004