Definitions by nick cusa

Put the nut in 

British expression for a head butt, in street brawls or (illegally) in boxing matches, to break a nose or open a cut. "Nut" is standard British slang for head.

When Henry Cooper, famed British boxer, learned an old foe had died, he commented: "He was a dirty bastard. He liked to put the nut in."

Put the nut in by Nick Cusa June 29, 2011

too many chiefs, not enough Indians 

Phrase used to claim there are too many bosses, not enough workers, but also used to lament the over-education of the "masses," who should realize their place. Usually uttered by yuppies or their parents, quite confident that no one in their circle will end up a mere "Indian."

"Ah, another fellowship program, but you can't find a good lawn man these days. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians."

too many chiefs, not enough Indians by Nick Cusa March 30, 2008

Barrel of monkeys 

A standard of comparison for describing how much fun something is. The "B of m" is usually considered to be less fun that the great time we are having.

This is more fun than a barrel of monkeys

Barrel of monkeys by Nick Cusa September 24, 2006

rebop 

1. An early version of the term "bebop," i.e., a modern jazz style popularized by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and others. The term continued to be popular in England into the 1970s, and is sometimes combined with "bebop" to produce scat-sounding jive talk--e.g. "Bepob with the Rebop."

2. Cab Calloway uses it generally for joyous, intoxicating music, with a hint (as so often in Cab's hep talk) of drugs (see example).

Cab Calloway lyrics, from "Hi De Ho Man" (1947): "How'd you like to blow your top?/Dig yourself some fine rebop?/ Hi de hi, he de he,/ It's the Hi de ho man, that's me!"

rebop by Nick Cusa September 23, 2006

canary

Female singer, especially in the Big Band/Swing era.

Anita O'Day started off as a canary in the Krupa band, but she really hit her stride later as a jazz soloist.

canary by Nick Cusa September 20, 2006

canary in a coal mine

The thankless task of being the first one to take a hit, from the practice of coal miners of bringing down a caged canary to see if there's dangerous gas below

I don't know if this alleyway's safe, and I ain't no canary in a coal mine.

canary in a coal mine by Nick Cusa September 20, 2006

yam 

A dance that never caught on. Fred Astaire sang a song about "doing the yam" but instant hipness failed him on this score. The continental was more successful

Hey, everybody, let's yam!

yam by nick cusa September 14, 2006