Frank Rider's definitions

Big Black Mariah

A term used for a police vehicle, usually a Golden (or Classic) Age Ford or Chevy.

Tom Waits has a song called 'Big Black Mariah' - it's all about being chased by the police. An excerpt;

"Here comes the Big Black Mariah,
I seen the big black Ford"

And Nick Cave mentions that the character in 'The Curse Of Milhaven' is driven;

"Off to the the asylum'
In an Old Black Mariah"

by Frank Rider August 22, 2009

FaceBurqa

A fictional Iranian version of Facebook. Term invented by Robin Williams. It's only use is comedic.

"I don't really use the internet. I do want to try that Iranian thing, FaceBurqa."

Robin Williams to Conan O'Brien, asked about using Twitter

by Frank Rider August 23, 2009

Filipino Box Spring Hog

1. The fourteenth song on Tom Waits' 1999 album, Mule Variations.

2. A term for any strange or disgusting new food. If you can't figure out a food's name or ingredients, you may call it this.

Rattle snake piccata with grapes and figs
Old brown Betty with a yellow wig
Tain't the mince meat filagree
And it ain't the turkey neck stew
And it ain't them bruleed okra seeds
Though she made them especially for you
Worse won a prize for her bottom black pie
The beans got thrown to the dogs
Jaheseus Christ, I can always make room
Cookin' up a Filipino Box Spring Hog

by Frank Rider August 22, 2009

Strange Weather

1. The Ninth song on Tom Waits' 1988 live album, Big Time.

2. A phenomenon that occurs as a cliche everywhere in real life, as well as Hollywood and books. Strangers only talk about the weather, for the most part, no matter what the situation is.

Excerpt from Strange Weather-

The world is getting flatter,
The sky is falling all around
Oh, and nothing is the matter
For I never cry in town
And a love like ours, my dear,
Is best measured when it's down
And I never buy umbrellas,
'Cause there's always one around.
And all over the world Strangers
Talk only 'bout the weather

by Frank Rider August 22, 2009