jrob's definitions

Supermarionation

Supermarionation (a portmanteau of "super", "marionette" and "animation") is a puppetry technique devised in the 1960s by British production company AP Films. It was used extensively in the company's numerous Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-produced action-adventure series, the most famous of which was Thunderbirds. The term was coined by Gerry Anderson, possibly in imitation of Ray Harryhausen's stop motion technique.

Thunderbirds is a British mid-1960s television show devised by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and made by AP Films using a form of puppetry dubbed "Supermarionation".

by JRob April 15, 2007

dread merchant

A person who makes a living by predicting disasters and worst-case scenarios.

Guy1: What's the news, man?

Guy2: Bird Flu, terrorists, hurricanes, global warming, the price of gasoline and natural gas and electricity skyrocketing, death toll in Iraq . . .

Guy1: Boy, the dread merchants are busy lately!

by JRob November 7, 2005

familymoon

A honeymoon in which the bride and groom also bring their children from previous marriages.

With three birthdays, a wedding and a "familymoon," we've had a lot of celebrations in our family lately.

by JRob October 7, 2005

midair passenger exchange

Seen on blogs, this is grim air-traffic-controller speak for a head-on collision. Midair passenger exchanges are quickly followed by "aluminum rain".

Controller 1: Man, THAT was a close call!
Controller 2: Yeah - we almost had a midair passenger exchange!

by JRob January 1, 2012

hotelling

An office setup in which mobile workers do not have permanent desks or cubicles and so must reserve a workspace when they come into the office.

Consultant #1: I spend so much time at customer sites that I don't need an office.

Consultant #2: Welcome to the Wild World of Hotelling!

by JRob October 26, 2005

piss-off factor

An object's component or quality that has the potential to annoy or anger a person viewing or using the object.

Web browser pop-up ads tend to have a very high piss-off factor.

by JRob November 18, 2005

zero drag

highly motivated employee who has few personal responsibilities and so can work long hours, travel frequently, or be called in to work with little notice.

The ideal zero drag employee is young, unmarried and childless with no responsibilities and an eagerness to do well.

by JRob October 28, 2005