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Definitions by andy

Hippogriff 

A type of monster which appears in some fantasy games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Warhammer. It is a large creature with the body of a horse, the head of an eagle and the wings of a griffon.
The host of the High Elves hode forth, led by a mighty mage on a Hippogriff mount.
Hippogriff by Andy April 28, 2004

Nirnaeth Arnoediad 

The fourth battle of the Wars of Beleriand and the most disastrous for the Noldor. The name means Battle of the Unnumbered Tears in Sindarin.

The battle was initiated by the sons of Feanor in an attempt to reclaim the Silmarils from Morgoth and to defeat the evil forces which were steadily creeping into Beleriand from Angband. The forces sent against Morgoth were formidable: the host of the sons of Feanor was joined by Turgon's forces from Mithrim, humans from Ossiriand, Hithlum and Brethil and small companies from elsewhere, including a company led by Gwindor from Nargothrond. Turgon also sent a host forth from Gondolin after hearing of the situation. However, the elves were weakened by the absence of larger contingents from Doriath and Nargothrond, as a result of preceding events in which Elwe of Doriath had obtained a Silmaril and in which the sons of Feanor had made a bid for power in Nargothrond.

The armies were split into two forces. The eastern force, led by Maedhros, was to draw Morgoth's forces out, after which the western force, led by Fingon, was to attack Angband. However, treachery by humans of the house of Ulfang waylaid the eastern force, and the western force was drawn into battle early by a force of Orcs under orders to bring them to Angband. They believed they were fighting the whole army and were drawn into a tactically undesirable position, chasing the Orcs across Anfauglith. But they were ambushed outside Angband and mostly slain.

Turgon's arrival and the eventual appearance of Maedhros's forces turned the tide, but the elves were defeated when the house of Ulfang turned coat and attacked Maedhros in the rear. In the resulting debacle, Fingon was slain, the sons of Feanor lost their armies and were put to flight, Turgon fled back to Gondolin under a rearguard action and Morgoth's forces overran northern Beleriand, and total defeat was prevented only by a valiant defensive fight by the humans of Hithlum along the river Sirion. Eventually they were defeated; Hurin, lord of the humans of Hithlum, was captured and tortured; the people of Hithlum were killed or subjugated.

Morgoth's forces then besieged and ultimately broke the fortresses at Eglarest and Vinyamar, overrunning all of Beleriand save Doriath, Balar, Nargothrond and Gondolin.
The battle is recounted in JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion.
Nirnaeth Arnoediad by Andy April 28, 2004

homo erectus 

huh huh.

homo erectus is a predecessor of modern humans. Members of this species had tools made of hard wood. They stored them inside orifices. And they spent most of their time impaling things with their long rods.

They used to grunt a lot, especially while impaling things. They drew graffiti on cave walls showing them trying to mount and stick their poles in horses and other animals.
homo erectus is a very cool name for cavemen (and women?).
homo erectus by Andy April 27, 2004

I'm game 

Phrase used by a deer, fox or other animal running away from a hunter. see also animal rights, fox hunting.
Hey, why are you shooting at me, you stupid human? Isn't it bad enough that you've trashed the fucking planet, and now you're shooting at me for no reason?
I'm game by Andy April 27, 2004
Slang word for dick, sometimes used by doctors and scientists.
Does anyone really call it a "penis", apart from doctors and scientists?
penis by Andy April 27, 2004

downsizing 

This is corporate slang for sacking workers, used to avoid actually admitting that this is what you're doing.

Workers beware! They think they can stop us fighting back by using these kinds of words so we don't figure out what they're up to until it's too late.
The company is committed to a long-term project of downsizing and restructuring in response to changes in the world market.
downsizing by Andy April 27, 2004

restructuring 

Literal meaning: to rearrange the structure of something.

Real meaning: to sack lots of workers.

A euphemism used by bosses to cover up the fact that they're planning to sack workers or to attack workers in other ways (e.g. worsen pay and conditions).
Boss: We're planning a major restructuring of this factory.

Union rep: erm - what's that?

Me: It means they're going to sack loads of people, you idiot! Quick, do something!
restructuring by Andy April 27, 2004