The victim asked, "Why are you carrying a weasel?" Police said the attacker answered, "It's not a weasel, it's a marten," then punched him in the nose and fled.
"...is defined by the U.S,-based group, Breast Cancer Action, as "a term used critically of corporate campaigns and practices in which the sponsoring companies position themselves as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease."
I just used 'cruft' in a non-technical conversation, not realizing this was only techie jargon. It was crystal clear from my context what the meaning was, so I didn't even get a funny look.
It's interesting that 'lede' doesn't appear under the sense of 'lead' or 'intro' in the Century or OED. Wikipedia says it's journo-jargon, ostensibly used to differentiate itself from 'lead' or 'leading', the typographical property:
Comments by swordnik
swordnik commented on the list wakese--2
This is the single best resource for startup names anywhere on the Internet.
October 20, 2014
swordnik commented on the list wordnik-spam-inquiries
"Am Mr.Paul snow and i will like to place an Order regarding the FRETTE with the size 51cm x 51cm 22" x 22."
February 27, 2012
swordnik commented on the list wordnik-spam-inquiries
Too long for the list but...
'I need 8" tambourine, with Many jingle variations (Brass jingles,Steel jingles) with good frame made from wood or any quality type you carry.'
January 30, 2012
swordnik commented on the word day star
The day star is the sun, son.
July 20, 2011
swordnik commented on the word ghost word
E.g. "gofish" misread for "goofish" (medial S error?)
See here for more of Skeat's original ghost words: http://books.google.com/books?id=ZqQLqhkC8gkC&pg=PA180&lpg=PA180&dq=skeat+%22ghost+words%22&source=bl&ots=3zlYg0Qtqg&sig=mNkw_oKwfVIqJ9Xx25hFtI9zyQ4&hl=en&ei=c3gkTq6tCOrmiALOhfnLAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=skeat%20%22ghost%20words%22&f=false
July 18, 2011
swordnik commented on the word pigeon pair
Derives from the fact that pigeons tend to have broods with one male and one female chick.
June 25, 2011
swordnik commented on the word marten
The victim asked, "Why are you carrying a weasel?" Police said the attacker answered, "It's not a weasel, it's a marten," then punched him in the nose and fled.
...
A marten is a member of the weasel family.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/06/08/us/AP-US-Dead-Weasel-Assault.html?hp&gwh=FFBF0448469C34D3CC24771867414B77
June 8, 2011
swordnik commented on the word mind rhyme
When trying a mind rhyme, don't press your luck
Many times, I find, folks don't give a hoot
June 6, 2011
swordnik commented on the word pinkwash
"...is defined by the U.S,-based group, Breast Cancer Action, as "a term used critically of corporate campaigns and practices in which the sponsoring companies position themselves as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease."
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Pinkwashing
January 31, 2011
swordnik commented on the word kangatarian
One who eats no meat except, you guessed it...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/7222088/Kangatarians-emerge-in-Australia.html
January 11, 2011
swordnik commented on the word cruft
I just used 'cruft' in a non-technical conversation, not realizing this was only techie jargon. It was crystal clear from my context what the meaning was, so I didn't even get a funny look.
April 9, 2010
swordnik commented on the word lede
It's interesting that 'lede' doesn't appear under the sense of 'lead' or 'intro' in the Century or OED. Wikipedia says it's journo-jargon, ostensibly used to differentiate itself from 'lead' or 'leading', the typographical property:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_style#Lead_or_intro
It's also not a valid Scrabble word under TWL or SOWPODS.
January 18, 2010