telomere

Telomeres are the ends of chromosomes. They consist of repetitive sequences that vary in length between species and individuals. With each cell division, telomeres shorten due to oxidative stress and the inability of DNA polymerase to fully replicate them (end replication problem). Several means to lengthen telomeres have been observed; in humans, two methods exist: the telomerase enzyme and the recombination-based alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Telomeres play a significant role in cancer development and stem cell aging.

90% of cancers activate telomerase as a telomere maintenance mechanism.

telomere by tempest33 March 16, 2009

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Vine telomeres

(of a vine/video meme): The short time snippets which can be removed from the start and end of a vine without losing it any humor.

Dajuan: Why is that version of the vine one second shorter?
Aniyah: They must have just snipped off the vine telomeres.
(All watch vine)
...
Maykayla: Wait, no! They cut off the best part!

Aniyah: Never mind, I guess that wasn't a telomere!

Vine telomeres by Vine geneticist March 19, 2021

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Related Words

telomere • Vine telomeres

Hate Sink

A person you hate intensely not because they deserve such hatred but because they serve as a focus for your general hatred. A healthy way to dispense with excess animosity.

Jake's not really that big an asshole. He just serves as my hate sink.

Hate Sink by The great prophet Zarquon August 7, 2016

Word of the Day on July 26, 2026

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funiosity

The art of being peculiar, but in an amusing fashion.

"Wow, look at that dog running on three legs"
- "Yeah, that sure is a funiosity"

funiosity by Supersonic Stevie November 23, 2007

Word of the Day on July 25, 2026

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Toe Rag

A toe rag was originally a foot wrapping used, since mediaeval times up until the mid-nineteenth century, to protect the foot from chafing by boots or shoes. As these were, quite literally, rags they weren’t usually washed, and so with use they became very smelly until they were thrown away. Because of the similarity in smell, toe rag also became the name applied to dried, salted cod or other things with a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell. It didn’t take that long before the name was applied to someone who was an obnoxious, unpleasant OIC.

1 “Socks! Those aren’t socks you smelly git, they’re toe rags!”
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.

Toe Rag by AKACroatalin November 29, 2016

Word of the Day on July 24, 2026

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Eternity leave

When some resigns or retires from a job, they are on "eternity leave". This can also refer to someone who has passed away, especially someone who worked somewhere for a long time, retired/resigned, then passed away later.

Oh I'm sorry, you didn't know that Kelly is on eternity leave? She resigned and moved to Hawaii!

With regrets I would like to inform you that my boss is officially on eternity leave. I will never see or hear them again. Ever.

Eternity leave by LingDanc803 February 7, 2023

Word of the Day on July 23, 2026

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jody

The hypothetical man (often a sinister character who decided not to go to boot camp) that is doing your girlfriend/wife while you are on deployment overseas.

Ain't no use in goin home,
Jody's got your girl and gone.
Ain't no use in goin back,
Jody's got your Cadillac,
Ain't no use in feeling blue,
Jody's took your checkbook too.

jody by Sgt Apan March 31, 2006

Word of the Day on July 22, 2026

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