Bill M.'s definitions

redundancy

A set of words in common usage that includes a needless modifier. Not to be confused with an oxymoron (where two terms of the same phrase literally contradict each other) or euphamism (a phrase used to change the emotional charge of a a word or phrase).

Examples of actual redundancies:

- ATM machine ("Automatic teller machine machine"? Just say "ATM".)
- PIN number ("Personal identification number number"?)
- "Call now for your FREE GIFT!" (well of course it's free, otherwise it wouldn't be a gift!)
- end result
- bare naked
- past experience

by Bill M. August 27, 2004

Wendsday

The phonetically accurate, yet incorrect spelling of "Wednesday"

Why do we pronounce that day as "wendsday" and not "WED - nes - day"?

by Bill M. August 27, 2004

jug handle

A fork in the road that bends in a loop or "P" shape, letting drivers make a left turn or a U-turn on a busy road without having to slow down in the left lane. Most commonly used in New Jersey.

"Then, you go through three sets of lights, and go through a jug handle..."

by Bill M. December 17, 2004

pitch

1. noun The relative highness or lowness of a musical note
2. verb To throw an object in a particular direction
3. verb To get rid of; to throw away into the trash
4. noun A statement used for advertisement

1. When you inhale helium, it raises the pitch of your voice.
2. He pitched the baseball from the mound.
3. This is broken. Just pitch it.
4. He gave us his sales pitch.

by Bill M. July 27, 2004

lanyard

A cord designed to hold something around the neck, usually with a clip at the end on which to fasten the object. Used for easy exposure and/or quick access to an ID badge, keys, etc.

"We could tell who the roadies were at the rock concert, because they each wore an 'all-access backstage pass' on a lanyard."
"Oh, so THAT'S what those things are called."

by Bill M. July 29, 2004

backstage pass

A pass, usually in the form of a laminated card or felt-like sticker, that allows the bearer access to the "backstage" area of an entertainment event (e.g., a concert). The area might not literally be behind the stage, but some other at the venue normally restricted to the other event attendees. An event may have different types of backstage passes for different levels of access; typically the "All Access" passes for a concert are of the laminated card variety, whereas the sticker type usually only allows the bearer access to limited areas at predetermined times.

Many music fans dream of getting a backstage pass so that they can meet their favorite bands at one of their concerts, but they should realize that 1) the bands their fan clubs don't always have the power to give out backstage passes; usually it's the venue or radio stations who get a hold of these, 2) like front-row tickets, backstage passes are mostly snatched up by those who already personally know somebody in the band, crew, or venue staff. And most importantly, 3) even having a backstage pass does not guarentee that you'll get to meet the band.

In the movie "Wayne's World", Wayne and Garth use their backstage passes to meet Alice Cooper after the show.

by Bill M. July 29, 2004

machine head

1. One of several flattened pegs found at the top end of a stringed instrument, which when manually turned with the hand, adjusts the pitch of the corresponding string :: TUNING PEG

2. (Warner Bros, 1972) Title of an album by heavy metal pioneering band Deep Purple, featuring the band's all-time biggest hit "Smoke On The Water"

3. (1992 - ) Heavy metal band from San Francisco, very influential on harsher, more aggressive-sounding metal bands that would arise later in the decade. See www.machinehead1.com for more information

One day, Robert Flynn of Machine Head was jamming along with Deep Purple's "Machine Head" album, but the low "E" string on his guitar was out of tune, so he had to turn the string's machine head.

by Bill M. July 27, 2004