eViL pOp TaRt's definitions

Duke of Marlborough effect

The “Duke of Marlborough Effect” was mentioned by Richard Dawkins to refer to the increase in masculine libido that results from experiencing a victory, whether directly or vicariously. This was so-named from an entry in the Duchess of Marlborough’s diary, “His Grace returned from the wars today and pleasured me twice in his top-boots.” Male athletes tend to experience elevated testosterone levels before a contest; those who win tend to maintain afterwards those elevated testosterone levels, but the testosterone levels of losers drops dramatically afterwards.

There will likely be a lot of canoodling in Old Boston now that the Red Sox have won the Series due to the Duke of Marlborough effect and the subsequent release of proper Bostonian inhibitions.

by eViL pOp TaRt January 5, 2009

Parkinson's law

Parkinson's law is an administrative principle that states that work tends to expand in relation to the time available for its completion. From C. Northcote Parkinson, a professor of the University of Malaysia, who first wrote of this law. While Parkinson, like Laurence J. Peter, apparently wrote his book as a satire on administration, unfortunately it turned out to be true.

It's a sad rule of corporations, and universities are not exempt, that the administrative apparatus tends to expand with time. Unfortunately, this is accompanied by stasis in what is accomplished. Parkinson's law holds true.

by eViL pOp TaRt September 9, 2005

equine actuary

An equine actuary is a bookmaker: one who gives odds and accepts bets on horse races.

Crazy Chester was a well-reputed equine actuary in New Orleans. He could tell you who was running at any of the racetracks and their likely odds.

by eViL pOp TaRt February 11, 2013

Professor

Professor is a term of respect given to pinao players in New Orleans. Originally, the term might have been bestowed ironically on the piano players playing in brothels, but has more general and nonironic use nowadays to refer to any type of soloist musician.

Tip the professor at least a five before you go. Doing this is good form, Dawlin'.

by eViL pOp TaRt January 18, 2009

FEMA effect

The FEMA effect refers to the all-too-predictable incompetence that emerges when the federal government machinery gets into the process.

The ineptitude in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was in part a manifestation of the FEMA effect. They probably think that you French-kiss someone on the elbow.

by eViL pOp TaRt August 20, 2006

obfun

Obfun is short for "obligatory fun." It refers to the ice-breaking activities that are injected into all-day seminars oe conferences either to make it more interesting to the participants, to remove any sense of dignity that might remain, and to lend variety to the activities.

The all-day conference consisted of six hours of lectures, and three occasions of obfun in which we lowered Hula-Hoops over each other, wore silly masks, and pretended that we were a herd of lemmings migrating for survival.

by eViL pOp TaRt February 20, 2008

Transylvania effect

The Transylvania effect is the folk belief that more craziness in behavior occurs when the moon is full. This belief is not supported by evidence, yet is widespread.

It's the full moon night; the mental patients will be acting up due to the Transylvania effect

by eViL pOp TaRt October 13, 2012