abigail has looked up 6540 words, created 6 lists, listed 1583 words, written 102 comments, added 3359 tags, and loved 16 words.
abigail has looked up 6540 words, created 6 lists, listed 1583 words, written 102 comments, added 3359 tags, and loved 16 words.
abigail commented on the user abigail
Really? You think? (and you're right :-)
May 4, 2011
abigail commented on the user abigail
My daughter sometimes uses this account to make lists too.
May 4, 2011
abigail commented on the user mary mo
This profile is not active; the account is not being used. For my active account, go to http://www.wordnik.com/people/abigail
May 4, 2011
abigail commented on the word spinning rims
These expensive car accessories from the 1980s do what the name implies: the inner portion of the rim continues to spin on roller bearings after the wheels they are attached to have stopped.
Apr 20, 2011
abigail commented on the word Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show began as a musical stage play (1973, Richard O’Brien) and was adapted into a movie (1975). It's a rock music parody of science fiction and "B" grade horror films. The movie opened in the USA on September 26, 1975. When it was switched to a midnight run at the Waverly Theatre in Greenwich Village in New York City, as of April 1, 1976, it began to attract a cult following. Moviegoers themselves became part of the show: booing the villains, cheering the heroes, talking back to the characters, attending in costume and bringing props. The show+audience experience was never exactly the same two nights running, and some repeat fans attended hundreds and even thousands of times.
Apr 14, 2011
abigail commented on the word Barbie doll
Given its staying power, it's hard to decide whether the Barbie doll is a fad or a phenomenon :-) But it definitely went through the breakout "wow, I've got to have one!" phase that is characteristic of fads after it was introduced in 1959.
Apr 14, 2011
abigail commented on the word pogs
The game of pogs originated in the 1920s on the Hawaiian island of Maui. It became unexpectedly popular in the continental United States in the 1990s. Pogs is played with small picture disks (originally, with milk caps). To begin the game, each player takes the same number of pogs. At the start of a turn, each player makes a stack of at least four pogs, with their faces down. On each turn, one player takes a slammer and strikes a stack of pogs with it, getting to keep the pogs that land face up. At the end of the game, the player with the most pogs is the winner.
Apr 14, 2011
abigail commented on the word acid-wash denim
To get a "distressed" look, clothing makers washed denim jeans for three to four hours at a time with pumice stones soaked in bleach. This created worn-looking spots and streaks.
Apr 14, 2011
abigail commented on the word mesmerism
Franz Anton Mesmer first practiced mesmerism in France in the 1770s, where it was quite popular for a while. In the 1830s, England experienced a revival of the fad, which moved to American in the late 1830s and early 1840s.
Apr 14, 2011
abigail commented on the word Hoppity Hop
The Hoppity Hop was the north American version of a bouncy ball that could be ridden by people. Trademarked by the Sun company, the Hoppity Hop was targeted at both children and adults. In Britain, a similar product was known as the space hopper.
Apr 13, 2011
abigail commented on the word fade
A "fade" or "faded" men's hairstyle is one that starts short and becomes progressively longer. In a hi-top fade the hair on the sides is cut off or kept very short and the hair on the top of the head is very long, similar to a flattop. In a low fade style, hair on the top is kept shorter.
Apr 13, 2011
abigail commented on the word goldfish swallowing
The thankfully short-lived fad of goldfish swallowing began when Harvard Freshman Lothrop Withington, Jr. took the dare of eating a live goldfish, in 1939.
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word diorama wig
Hairdressing emerged as a profession during the reign of Louis XVI of France in part because his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, was fond of dressing her hair in unusual ways. A fantastic diorama wig could take hours to create, as hair was pulled, pomaded, powdered and piled with decorations.
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word Couéism
"Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better." Most people would recognize this sentence, but few people nowadays would associate it with French psychologist Emile Coué. Coué was a big believer in the power of thoughts and words to influence mental and physical outcomes - something more often referred to now as "positive thinking."
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word bodysuit
A bodysuit was a stretchy leotard-like garment, often with long sleeves, with snaps at the crotch. You pulled it on over your head and snapped yourself into it. Simplicity patterns of the 1970s paired them with shorts or hip-huggers.
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word smiley face
In 2008 (Smith v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.) and 2009 (Loufrani vs. Wal-Mart), American judges determined that the smiley face is "ubiquitous" in American culture, and not a "distinctive" mark, and therefore cannot be trademarked in the U.S.
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word Swatch watch
In 1983, the Swatch Group, Ltd., of Switzerland reconceptualized the watch as an inexpensive fashion accessory and introduced the "Swatch watch". It came in hundreds of colors, styles, and even scents, and was wildly popular in the 1980s -- people even wore several Swatch watches at once.
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word antiperms
An anti-perm, or antiperm, is a hair-straightening technique. African-Americans used these heavily between the 1920s and 1950s. More natural styles like the Afro became popular for black hair in the 1960s, at the same time that performers like Joan Baez and Mary Travers made long-blonde-straight hair a popular fad with their audiences. Worth seeing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7tlu3RYz64
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word antiperm
An anti-perm, or antiperm, is a hair-straightening technique. African-Americans used these heavily between the 1920s and 1950s. More natural styles like the Afro became popular for black hair in the 1960s, at the same time that performers like Joan Baez and Mary Travers made long-blonde-straight hair a popular fad with their audiences. Worth seeing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7tlu3RYz64
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word anti-perm
An anti-perm, or antiperm, is a hair-straightening technique. African-Americans used these heavily between the 1920s and 1950s. More natural styles like the Afro became popular for black hair in the 1960s, at the same time that performers like Joan Baez and Mary Travers made long-blonde-straight hair a popular fad with their audiences. Worth seeing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7tlu3RYz64
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the list fads
An anti-perm, or antiperm, is a hair-straightening technique. African-Americans used these heavily between the 1920s and 1950s. More natural styles like the Afro became popular for black hair in the 1960s, at the same time that performers like Joan Baez and Mary Travers made long-blonde-straight hair a popular fad with their audiences. Worth seeing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7tlu3RYz64
Apr 12, 2011
abigail commented on the word Rickie Tickie Stickies
Inventor Don Kracke started selling eye-popping stick-on flower decals a few months after 1967’s Summer of Love in San Francisco.
By the end of 1968, 90 million of his Rickie Tickie Stickies had been sold.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Wacky WallWalkers
A Japanese toy called a Tako was introduced into the United States by Ken Hakuta as the "Wacky WallWalker". Made of sticky plastic, and shaped like an octopus, the toy would "walk" its way down a wall if thrown against it.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word X-Ray Spex
A novelty item, X-Ray Spex were marketed as allowing people to see through anything, including clothing. In reality, they were made of layers of cheap cardboard with a feather inside: if someone looked through them at their hand, the tracery of the feather appeared superimposed on the hand, reminiscent of bones.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Livestrong
The yellow "Livestrong" wristband was developed by cancer survivor and cyclist Lance Armstrong in the summer of 2004 to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The wristbands were manufactured and donated by Nike and sold for $1 each. By March 2005, over 58 million wristbands had been sold.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word jelly bracelet
Jelly bracelets or gel bracelets are rubbery bands which can be worn one at a time or hooked together. They became a fad when a bracelet was created by champion bicycle racer and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong to help raise money for cancer research. The success of his "Livestrong" yellow wristbands inspired both other non-profits, and for-profit companies, to sell colored wristbands.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word jelly shoes
Jelly shoes or jellies are shoes made of PVC plastic. This material allows them to be made in a wide variety of colors and styles. Jelly shoes made by the Brazil-based company Grendene Shoes were introduced into the U.S. in the early 1980s.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word scully
Scully is a game played on a sidewalk using a chalk-drawn course make up of numbered boxes. Each player needs a scully chip (generally a bottle cap.) Players shoot their chips sequentially from box to box, and the first player to flick his or her chip from the beginning to the end of the course and back again, wins.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word ape hanger handlebars
Ape hanger handlebars rise high up so that the rider must reach up to use them. This style of bicycle handlebar became popular in the 1960s on wheelie bicycles that imitated the appearance of chopper motorcycles.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Chopper
Brands of chopper bikes experienced an astronomical jump in popularity because of the 1969 movie "Easy Rider." The movie features two chopper motorcycles and manufacturers created a myriad of variations. Schwinn’s largest competitor, the English brand Raleigh, trademarked "Chopper" as the name of their most popular chopper bike.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word chopper bike
Brands of chopper bikes experienced an astronomical jump in popularity because of the 1969 movie "Easy Rider." The movie features two chopper motorcycles and manufacturers created a myriad of variations. Schwinn’s largest competitor, the English brand Raleigh, even trademarked "Chopper" as the name of their most popular chopper bike.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Alice Blue
Alice blue" is a pale shade of blue which was a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt's daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth. Her frequent wearing of the color set off a fad, and inspired the hit song "Alice Blue Gown".
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Ginny doll
Vogue Doll Company Inc. was founded by Jennie Graves in the mid 1920s. Vogue began to produce the composition Ginny doll in the 1950s. The name "Ginny" was first used in 1950 on one model of the 8 inch Vogue doll, but by 1951, all Vogue 8 inch dolls were referred to as "Ginny". All authentic Ginny dolls are marked as Vogue or Ginny on their heads or bodies, and almost all genuine Ginny clothes bear the Vogue label.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Buck Buck
In the game "Johnny on a Pony" or "Buck Buck", one player or set of players climbs on another's back. The object of the game may either be for the base player to guess a number from the player on top, or for the climbers to collapse the base player(s).
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Johnny on a Pony
In the game "Johnny on a Pony" or "Buck Buck", one player or set of players climbs on another's back. The object of the game may either be for the base player to guess a number from the player on top, or for the climbers to collapse the base player(s).
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word bobby sox
Bobby socks, or bobby sox, are a type of sock that was especially fashionable in the 1940s and 1950s. They are characteristically ankle-length and frilly, and worn by girls often as part of a school uniform. They were popular to wear with saddle shoes, loafers or Oxfords.
_Wikipedia
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word qaio pai
A Chinese card game, qaio pai was inspired by the American card game of bridge. It became extremely popular in the 1970's.
Apr 11, 2011
abigail commented on the word Norfin
The first troll doll was created in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam. Troll dolls became quite popular in Europe and the U.S.A. during the early 1960s. The fad reappeared in the United States starting in 1982 when EFS Marketing, Inc. began to market troll dolls in the U.S.A. under an exclusive distributorship contract with Dam Things, Denmark. Under this contract, EFS was given the right to distribute the Dam doll under the trademark "Norfin." However, each Norfin was required to contain the following statement: "This model is designed and copyrighted by Dam Things, Denmark."
Apr 7, 2011
abigail commented on the word Dam doll
The original troll doll was developed by Thomas Dam, of Denmark, and trademarked by Dam Things, Denmark. It became popular in Europe and the United States in the 1960s. The fad reappeared in the United States starting in 1982 when EFS Marketing, Inc. began to market troll dolls in the U.S.A. under an exclusive distributorship contract with Dam Things, Denmark. Under this contract, EFS was given the right to distribute the Dam doll under the trademark "Norfin." However, each Norfin was required to contain the following statement: "This model is designed and copyrighted by Dam Things, Denmark."
Apr 7, 2011
abigail commented on the word CB radio
"CB Radio", or the Citizens' Band radio service, began in the United States in 1945 and was regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It allocated a radio band for personal communication by citizens. In the late 1960's and 1970's, handheld technology for CB radios improved and use of CB radios became a popular fad.
Apr 7, 2011
abigail commented on the word Alice blue
"Alice blue" is a pale shade of blue which was a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt's daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth. Her frequent wearing of the color set off a fad, and inspired the hit song "Alice Blue Gown".
Apr 7, 2011
abigail commented on the word Hesitation Waltz
The "Hesitation Waltz" was a waltz style popularized by Vernon and Irene Castle around 1910. A "hesitation" is basically a halt on the standing foot during the full waltz measure, with the moving foot suspended in the air or slowly dragged.
Apr 7, 2011
abigail commented on the word Castle Walk
The Castle Walk is a dance originated and made famous by Vernon and Irene Castle in New York in 1912. In this dance, the man continually goes forward and the lady backward. The principal figures in the Castle Walk are the walk forward, walk backward, turning to the right and left, and going in circles.
Apr 7, 2011
abigail commented on the word Wurlitzer
The catch phrase "Gee Dad, It's A Wurlitzer" was Wurlitzer's advertising slogan in the mid 1950s. Wurlitzer made pipe organs for home, church, and theatre use, but this famous slogan was most often used to advertise their Model 1600 and 1700 Series jukeboxes.
Apr 6, 2011
abigail commented on the word Shinola
On Wednesday, April 02, 1930, the 2-in-1 Shinola-Bixby Corporation of New York and Indianapolis received a U.S. federal trademark registration for Shinola, a type of wax shoe polish.
Apr 5, 2011
abigail commented on the word Puffa
Puffa began because founder Penny Rogers wanted something really warm and comfortable to wear for riding. She made the first Puffa jackets in her kitchen and sold them at Tidworth Horse Trials. While the typical Puffa customer still may be a regular rider or parent of riders, the brand has broken into the popular and celebrity markets as well. An authentic Puffa jacket has distinctive quilting lines and detailing which make it instantly recognizable.
Apr 5, 2011
abigail commented on the word Passface
According to Real User Corp., people should be more successful in recognizing a Passface than in recalling a password -- and use of a graphical Passface would be a more secure form of verification.
Apr 4, 2011
abigail commented on the word Ozalid
Ozalid was federally registered in the United States as a trademark for light-sensitive copying and photographic papers, on February 5, 1929. The term "ozalid process" has genericized to mean a process of printing positive images on paper from patterns on film or other translucent media.
Apr 4, 2011
abigail commented on the word Moviola
Iwan Serrurier obtained his first Moviola-related patent on April 8, 1919, for a "Picture Projecting Apparatus". The initial Moviola was a home movie projector enclosed in a Victrola-like cabinet, which could be used for viewing "dailies" in movie studios. Serrurier went on to develop a direct viewing device which revolutionized the work of the studios' cutting rooms.
Apr 1, 2011
abigail commented on the word KitchenAid
The first countertop mixer for use in home food preparation was developed by the Hobart Company around 1918. Its trademark name, "KitchenAid", supposedly came from the comment of a company wife who was testing a prototype model.
Apr 1, 2011