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pale and interesting

A cheeky reference to heroines of Victorian operas and novels, who frequently became ill -- but not so ill they can't remain both romantically tragic and, above all, beautiful. Usually they have tuberculosis (TB), which allows for dramatic coughing up of blood, tender goodbyes with devastated lovers, and a ROBUST aria right before she perishes. Somehow the fact that she's dying of an airborne disease never deters anyone from seeking out her intimate company. She's got this charming pink glow to her fevered cheeks that no gentleman can resist...

Authors of these stories love to wax rhapsodic about the heroine's "milky" or "alabaster" skin, and the sicker she gets the more exquisitely white she becomes! While modern readers may wonder why anyone would want to make love to a woman the same color as chalk, bleach, or the cliffs of Dover, the Victorians were very turned on by these connotations of racial purity. Nowadays such descriptions are considered purple prose, and if not outright racist then certainly in very poor taste.

The phrase "pale and interesting" is an oxymoron that mocks both the silliness and melodrama of this trope. You may feel sick as a dog, but hey, some uptight people with weird hang-ups around sex find that attractive! Lucky you!

See TVTropes.com's "Victorian Novel Disease" for a detailed description of the source material.
"I'm still nauseas, I'm just going to lie on this couch looking pale and interesting and hope hot person comes to talk to me."

"You definitely have a fever, but on the bright side you're looking very pale and interesting draped across that bed."

"This isn't a swoon, my arms and legs feel like wet noodles."
"Sexy."
by Cynicisms July 15, 2023
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Mayo palooza

When a bunch of shitty white dudes descend on a party and completely fuck up the dude/chick ratio.
Bro, that topless pool party was a nasty good time until those lames turned it into a mayo palooza.
by Ranchgirls November 9, 2020
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Related Words

Palinocchio

The mixing of Sarah Palin and Pinocchio to show that the Alaskan Governor cannot tell the truth.

She lied about being against the Bridge to Nowhere She has lied about her firing of the town librarian and police chief of Wasilla, Alaska. She has lied about pressure on Alaska's public safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She has lied about her previous statements on climate change. She has lied about Alaska's contribution to America's oil and gas production.

She has lied about when she asked her daughters for their permission for her to run for vice-president. She has lied about the actual progress in constructing a natural gas pipeline from Alaska. She has lied about Obama's position on habeas corpus. She has lied about her alleged tolerance of homosexuality.

She has lied about the use or non-use of a TelePrompter at the St Paul convention. She has lied about her alleged pay-cut as mayor of Wasilla. She has lied about what Alaska's state scientists concluded about the health of the polar bear population in Alaska.
Palinocchio is now claiming that, since Alaska is so close to Russia, that has foreign policy experience.
by Pointer of the Obvious January 13, 2009
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palin

adjective used to describe a person underqualified for a given task. Also used to denote an idiot, or small-town redneck.
"I know I'm a little palin, but I really want this job."

"Ma'am unfortunately we are looking for an applicant who is less palin."

"Have you seen that cashier at the gas station? The one with missing teeth and the trucker hat? Hes SO palin!"
by The Pirate Queen October 28, 2008
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palsy punch

Term coined by comedian Josh Blue. It's a punch that:

1. You don't know where it's coming from, and
2. Neither does he.
He may have cerebral palsy, but his palsy punch takes out anyone who messes with him and the eight surrounding people too.
by D. A. Campbell August 6, 2008
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Palzor

someone who may indeed be a good friend, but rather a friendly dinosaur
Barney the dinosaur hangs with his palzors on weekends.
by An Innocent Cat January 21, 2009
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Palir

A dick. In Borneo when it comes to fighting or calling names.
Biji Palir mu ah
by saei June 6, 2015
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