Speedstan's definitions
verb: to carry a load by hand, usually referring to an unusually heavy or unwieldy load, and/or an abnormally long distance, that would not be expected of sane, rational, people. Term is military/aviation in origin.
"Amtrak was running 3 hours late, so there were no taxis at the station when we got into town. We had to hump our bags 6 blocks through 'da hood to get to the hotel. Not my idea of a party."
by speedstan February 23, 2010
Get the hump mug.noun: railroad acronym for "Flashing Rear End Device", the "black box" attached to the rear of most freight trains in the US since the 1980's, replacing the caboose.
Officially known as an End of Train Device (EOT), this is attached to the rear coupler and air brake line of the last car on the train. The device incorporates a pressure sensor and a radio to transmit brake line air pressure back to the lead locomotive, and a flashing red light to serve as a warning marker to other trains at night.
Also referred to in less complimentary terms as a "Fucking Rear End Device", due to the fact that early versions were heavy, cumbersome to handle, and not known to be especially reliable.
Officially known as an End of Train Device (EOT), this is attached to the rear coupler and air brake line of the last car on the train. The device incorporates a pressure sensor and a radio to transmit brake line air pressure back to the lead locomotive, and a flashing red light to serve as a warning marker to other trains at night.
Also referred to in less complimentary terms as a "Fucking Rear End Device", due to the fact that early versions were heavy, cumbersome to handle, and not known to be especially reliable.
"FRED is telling us we have no air. Either we broke the train in two (uncoupled cars or broke a coupler knuckle, which would disconnect an air line) or somebody closed an angle cock (valve that supplies air pressure to individual car brakes)."
by speedstan March 1, 2010
Get the FRED mug.noun: Military in origin, an official recognition or commendation for good work that is recorded in one's personnel file, specifically one that is a positive influence in a subsequent pay raise or promotion.
"Jones wasn't HR's choice for the new department manager, but the attaboys he got from the customer for that last project convinced the VP to lean on the Personnel weenies on his behalf"
by speedstan February 23, 2010
Get the attaboy mug.A large, heavy, prominent object that can be used as a weapon for self-defense purposes under circumstances where conventional weapons are prohibited or impractical. An "attitude adjuster" is considered to have served its intended purpose if the mere display of the object is enough to keep potential antagonists at bay. Term is of 1970's-1980's vintage and commonly used by military, law enforcement, and railroaders in urban areas.
"I always keep a three-cell Mag-Lite under the seat when I drive downtown after dark. It's a good attitude adjuster to keep the locals from harassing me..."
by speedstan February 23, 2010
Get the attitude adjuster mug.An active customer of prostitutes and escorts who shares information with similar customers, typically on some type of online forum.
by speedstan February 24, 2010
Get the hobbyist mug.noun: derisive term for a recruit, trainee, or new member to an organization who is untrained and not yet educated/adjusted to the organizations working practices or culture, one who continually embarrasses him/herself and others with ignorant and inappropriate behavior. Term is military in origin, short for "slick-sleeves" referring to an E-1 or lowest rank in the military (Airman Basic in USAF, Private in Army or Marine Corps), as these individuals have no stripes on their uniforms, hence "slick sleeves". Term is liberally used in basic training during the first week when a D.I. (drill instructor) has yet to learn the name of all recruits in his platoon/squadron.
(Drill Instructor): "Forward, March!"
(Drill Instructor): "NO, Slick, start on your OTHER left foot!"
(Drill Instructor): "NO, Slick, start on your OTHER left foot!"
by speedstan February 24, 2010
Get the slick mug.noun: an uneducated, untrained or poorly trained individual placed in a given position in a workplace where he/she is neither technically capable of performing the required task nor performing any useful activity, but to deceive the observer in some manner. Warm bodies are often used to give the appearance of proper staffing, to make an organization look larger than it actually is during visits and official functions, or to fulfill some political agenda in the given organization (i.e. "diversity").
"Frank always uses his relatives as warm bodies whenever a customer visits the shop, to try to give the impression he has a zillion people working for him. He must have learned the warm body trick in the old country, when the Communists would take all 12 cars in town and park them in front of wherever they were filming propaganda movies, to make it look busy..."
by speedstan February 23, 2010
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