Definitions by Richter

mutually assured destruction

Difficult to define exactly, but it's not the actual *name* of a situation or doctrine. Rather, it describes the outcome of a given action in the circumstances:

In the case of the US and USSR, their shared determination to retaliate to an attack by the other - given the size of their nuclear arsenals - would've assured mutual destruction.

mutually assured destruction by Richter September 20, 2003

ambulance chaser 

1. A lawyer specialising in personal injury claims usually representing people against local authorities or large companies.

2. Derogative description for a personal injury lawyer who specifically seeks out clients for tripping and slipping cases against big companies. Certainly in the US, this is because the lawyer's fee will be a percentage of the client's damages award - therefore making it profitable to find injured former employees of big companies.

1. Q: What sort of practice is it?
A: Oh, he's an ambulance chaser.

2. A: "That guy who got his arm
mangled up in our machine is suing"
B: "Who's he got?"
A: "Some ambulance chaser."

ambulance chaser by Richter September 20, 2003

don't be a stranger 

Don't become a stranger. Usually said between friends when parting in anticipation of not seeing one another for a long time - when moving house, for example.

Is also often as a joke after marriage - warning the couple not to lose touch with their friends after becoming so attached - normally between men.

don't be a stranger by Richter September 20, 2003

glasgow nod 

To head-butt someone and break their nose with that sickly, satisfying crunch...

"Fuck you"
"No, fuck you"
CRUNCH
"ahhhrrrghhh!"
"See? Fuck you."

glasgow nod by Richter September 20, 2003

gesundheit 

German, meaning "health". Used to wish someone "health" after sneezing. It has been exported, but seems primarily to be used in the US. Similar is "bless you"

Achoo!

Gesundheit!

You get the idea.

gesundheit by Richter September 7, 2003