The act of causing rapid evacuation of a room or other confined space by floating a particularly nasty air biscuit. Most commonly, a grierson requires the assistance of a tarka for maximal effect. The word is derives from the name of a rotund large-eared red-headed gentleman scholar of an unathletic nature (not to be
confused with a waby), who claimed to be able to
clear the audience of a
300-seat lecture theatre in 10 seconds.
From the
Philadelphia Enquirer, 23rd March
2004: Mass panic ensued after shouts of "grierson, grierson" were heard in the darkened room. Firemen with breathing apparatus recovered the bodies of
18 of the deceased several hours later.