Speedog's definitions

causality

Noun (physics terminology): the natural sequential relation between any cause and its subsequent effect in the known universe, in which any effect is invariably preceded by the cause of that effect, and never the reverse.

"Newton's Third Law of Motion is essentially a confirmation of the principle of causality."

by speedog April 30, 2010

dago dazzlers

Noun (plural): a multiplicity of official (or official-looking) documents, permits, passes, and/or letters of authorization, typically bearing apparently authentic governmental stamps, seals, and signatures, to be presented mostly by scientific expeditions from developed nations whenever challenged by local, often sub-literate, authorities attempting to impede their progress to extort monies or other remunerations in return for “safe passage” through a specific area under their control; the intent being to thwart such local tactics by implication of the threat of condign action from a superior governmental power should the papers presented be ignored.

"Suddenly our progress was halted by a group of armed men, but after a few tense minutes they waved us along, after Dr. Keller flashed his packet of dago dazzlers in their faces."

by Speedog December 2, 2009

Roman handshake

Noun: a manner of shaking hands peculiar to ancient Rome, in which the parties grasp each others right wrist.

"The Roman handshake was the accepted practice of greeting among gentlemen in the Western world from the beginning of the 1st century BC until the end of the 5th century AD."

by speedog April 30, 2010

Baby

Person: nickname of American film actress Lauren Bacall, given by her (then) boyfriend, actor Humphrey Bogart, in recognition of her youth in relation to his own age.

Bogart once famously quipped "Whatever Baby wants, Baby gets."

by speedog May 27, 2010

Climb Mount Nitaka

Phrase (WW II Japanese military): code phrase authorizing the activation of "Operation Z", the Japanese attack on U.S. naval forces based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Once Emperor Hirohito had given his assent to Operation Z, the code phrase "Climb Mount Nitaka" was transmitted to Admiral Yamamoto.

by speedog July 7, 2010

Easy A

Noun (American slang): a positive educational grade obtained by other than accepted academic means, usually via the granting of sexual favors, or other compensation, by the student to the educator who subsequently issues the grade.

Tracy was about to flunk science, until she got an Easy A after she hooked up with the science teacher.

by speedog June 22, 2010

Time barrier

Noun: the theoretical limit of real-time velocity in the known universe, at which point positive time halts, and the mass of any object traveling at that speed become infinite and incapable of any increase in velocity.

"In 1994, Dr. Miguel Alcubierre formulated a hypothetical propulsion system that could, in theory, break the time barrier."

by speedog June 25, 2010