glass bead game

An activity or field of study so arcane and detached from, and with no application to, the real world that it is rendered absurd. E.g., theology, analytic/linguistic philosophy.

A waste of one's time.

Refers to the recondite game studied and played in the Herman Hesse novel, The Glass Bead Game.
Synonymous idiom: Ivory Tower

The theologians contemplating how many angels can fit on the head of a needle is mere glass bead game.

The study of astrology is a glass bead game.

Postmodernist philosophy is a glass bead game.

Don't waste my time with your Eco-feminist glass bead game.

by Shawlatan September 1, 2014

pat-goulas glass

A glass of wine filled to the rim. Wine poured with a heavy hand.
Pronounced: pat-goo-lah-glass

If I'm going to pay $8 for a glass of wine...it better be a pat-goulas glass!

by Cordell Enrique May 9, 2010

It's my glass of beer

You can use this when you really like something. It's the opposite of "it's not my cup of tea".

Football, it's my glass of beer.

by APA - Bristol October 15, 2019

birth-control glasses

glasses worn by men or women, usually huge and bulky, that usually serve as a deterrent for sexual advances. could have the opposite effect for those that like the brainy look.

The girl at the party looked really hot with her heels, short skirt, and birth-control glasses.

by angelique clark August 26, 2006

glass half empty

someone who always is looking at the negative side of things. always finding what's bad in the situation instead of the good

she is always looking at the glass half empty

by ilovepoop1234 July 15, 2021

over the glasses look

When one looks over his glasses at another person to show that he is really LOOKING at that person, and usually connoting disappointment or skepticism. Classicly employed by Lester Freamon on THE WIRE when the brass tries to interfere with one of his investigations.

"Don't be giving me that over the glasses look, I promise I'll never gamble again!"

by jatty July 6, 2009

glass door closet

A term to describe a homosexual who is still in the closet, yet everyone else can clearly see their sexuality. Therefore the closet they are in as a glass door closet.

Johno: "Man, I think Ryan is definitely gay, but he says he's not."

Steve: "Yeah man he's gay, he's just in a glass door closet."

by kay lost April 25, 2010