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.

by Nick Cusa September 20, 2006

coal face

Originally used with reference to miners i.e those who remove coal from the 'face' of the mine, its now more commonly used to mean any work closest to the frontline

Managers have no idea how hard it is for a sparky these days because they never have to work at the coal face.
I love pulling apart engines. Its great to get my hands dirty at the coal face.

by Chill Pills October 13, 2007

coal

Coal is known to be the opposite of gem on places like the far-right extremist forum Soyjak.party. Unlike gems, which are high quality and uncommon; and the average post, which is wholly average and neither coal nor gem; your average coalpost is a special combination of low quality and low effort. Coal does not serve any use for the community other than to occupy space that could have been a gem, making watchersby hopelessly lament what could have been. Coal is doubly detrimental because it floods gems off the board to be forever lost to continuous coal spam.

chud1: Have you seen my thread on the /kway/? (RIP)

chud2: Yes, it's coal.

by Yuri Kuznetsov May 1, 2023

CatLap

The condition in which your (or someone else's) cat settles into your lap, and you can no longer move. It's a serious condition, resulting in being unable to go to the washroom or get your own beverages until the condition is resolved (the cat gets up and moves).

I currently have CatLap, and haven't been able to do anything for hours. Maybe she'll move soon? Send coffee.

by LadySeraphina December 5, 2012

Pour the coals to her

Derived from the days of Coal steamers, literally means to add more coal to the fire which would increase available engine power.

Used now-a-days by Pilots amongst others.

"Looks like we're coming in high, better pour the coals to her and overshoot!"

by Iwallis November 22, 2011

Anti Squirrel Coalition

Semi paramilitary group with the harge of defending the world against the threat of squirrel world domination. Originally based in Michigan, the ASC HQ was moved to Kentucky from which the war against the tree rats is coordinated to this day.

ASC special forces often go into the woods to gather intelligence and engage Enemy forces.

by John February 8, 2004

burning coal

to have sex with an individual of African Origin

Joe's been going out with a black girl - he's burning coal all night long

by cobalt-60 July 31, 2003