break the glass
The expression break the glass refers to doing something in case of an emergency, particularly in medical or fire contexts. It's commonly used ironically, or as a metaphor to describe an emergency situation.
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Playful Words That Jane Austen Popularized
In her novels, Jane Austen (1775–1817) scrutinized the ways that social codes and class place constraints on individuals and relationships. Her own use of language, however, was anything but constrained. It was so playful and inventive—like tittupy, or “bouncing all around,” which a character uses to describe a rickety carriage in Northanger Abbey. While she may not have exactly coined words like tittupy, Austen’s books …
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Supper vs. Dinner
In parts of the US, supper and dinner are used interchangeably to refer to the evening meal, but they’re not exactly synonyms. What do these words mean? Dinner, which dates back to the late 1200s, refers to the main meal of the day—historically, a meal served midday for many peoples. The term comes from the Middle English diner, which, via French, goes back to a …
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Why Is Planet Mars Named “Mars”?
Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, is our neighbor, and it has long captivated the human mind and spirit. Think of Martians, a go-to word for extraterrestrial life since science-fiction imagined inhabitants there in the late 19th century. But, how did Mars it get its name? Who is the mythological Mars? The planet Mars is named after the Roman god of war, Mars, considered …
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These Are The Most Misspelled Words On Dictionary.com
Have you ever typed a word into Dictionary.com just to see how it's spelled? Yup, us too. Here are the most misspelled words so far for 2019.
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8 Music Festival Names That Rock
Like their spiritual forerunner Woodstock, these multi-day blowouts are known for three things: loud music, scant clothing, and names as catchy as a classic rock hook. Here are eight of the biggest festivals and a bit of history behind their lyrical appellations.
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good yard
If you're writing an email after a few too many drinks, you might find yourself signing off good yard instead of the typical "good night." If you're sober, a good yard is just a nice…