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strauss

Technically, either Johann Strauss the Waltz King or Richard Strauss, the more serious composer who wrote tone poems and operas. Among real musicians, though, 'Strauss' almost invariably refers to Richard Strauss. You are a total noob if you think music festivals and professional orchestras program silly waltzes all the time when you see Strauss in their repertoire.
"Hey, wanna come to my concert tonight? The conductor's amazing, and we're playing Strauss."

"Uhh...I don't know if I care to hear Emperor Waltz or the Blue Danube again."

"Aww come on- we're talking 'Death and Transfiguration' here!"
by spinningtabletop January 15, 2009
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Caleian slip

An analogue to the Freudian slip that involves a physical action. This action must be indicative of a subconscious preoccupation or habit.
Fabio and Felipe were hanging out. Fabio was eating an apple when all of a sudden the core slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. Felipe thus inferred a subconscious propensity of Fabio to litter on his own floor, creating a literal Caleian slip.
Named after the first man to observe and recognize one such "slip".
by spinningtabletop November 16, 2010
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prius

A very fashionable car that makes you look "environmentally conscious." People also think the fuel economy is unbelievably amazing.

The fact is, however, that if you are really interested in saving the environment and gas, a regular subcompact is a much better choice. Older subcompacts such as the Geo Metro, some Honda Civics, the Toyota Tercel, and so on actually got equal or better gas mileage, often above 50 mpg. There is also no electric motor or batteries to mess with, so they are cheaper and easier to fix. These reliable little cars are so cheap to buy and maintain today that it is ridiculous to claim a new Prius saves money.

They also have zero environmental impact, since the are already manufactured. In addition, hybrids' gigantic battery packs full of lead, toxic heavy metals and acid, screw the environment so badly that some people have calculated that a Hummer H3 has less environmental impact.

Also, conventional cars can be hundreds of pounds lighter without the batteries. Performance (and fuel economy) is improved. There is also more room/fewer ugly bulges/ lower aerodynamic profile without a battery pack.

However, this will not convince the liberals who only want to LOOK like they are on the right path.
Liberal nerd: "Everyone should own a Prius! It just makes sense! I can't believe it gets 45 mpg! I'm really just self-interested, because it will save me $$ in the long run!"

Liberal nerd who knows something about cars: Dude, my 1992 Honda Civic VX gets 60 mpg, and it looks better even though it's 17 years old. I bought it for $500 and I can do all the maintenance myself. It can also dust your battery pack on wheels.

Nerd 1: Hey, it's worth it for the status it gives me.
by Spinningtabletop February 3, 2009
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higher

Pathetic attempt at the simple word 'raise.' Heard in southern california. Actually used by adults, if you can believe it.
"Aww man - they highered the price of weed!"

"Maybe that's a good thing"
by spinningtabletop May 17, 2010
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grind

A person who is always at work and accomplishes everything by brute force. Typically this refers to nerdy, square, uncool people in school.
"Did you see Robert's schedule this year? He's taking 6 AP classes!"

"Yeah, he never sleeps or goes out or does anything extracurricular."

"What a grind."
by spinningtabletop February 12, 2009
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mountain bike

A brand of bicycle intended for off-road use on dirt or gravel trails. There is no limit to how much you can spend on them. Some of the best ones are amazingly beautiful works of high-performance technology that are also tougher than nails.

Most mountain bikes, though, are bought for fairly cheap, sometimes under $100, at department stores under brands such as Mongoose, Schwinn, or Magna. These "mountain bikes" are covered with fancy graphics, lots of gears, and suspension, but actually work very poorly:

1) The components are all bottom-of-the line, even if they have good names such as Shimano. They are heavy, poorly machined, and wear out or break quickly. The gears will usually grind and skip no matter how well you adjust them. Rims are often steel, which quickly rusts and bends out of round, is very heavy, and is never seen on decent wheels.

2) They are no fun to ride. Most of them weight at least 31-35 pounds, and the full-suspension models weigh around 45! Try riding up a hill on one of these. Most people just ride them around the streets, and the knobby tires soak up so much energy you can actually hear it. Full suspension will completely absorb any power you put out. It feels like riding through mud.

Mountain bikes are extremely popular, though, accounting for over 90% of all bikes on the average college campus. They are easier to ride than road bikes, but will prevent you from ever enjoying bike riding. If they are used for off-road use, they simply become a toy like dirt bikes that you can't use for everyday transportation. Overall, I think they are a backwards development in cycling technology.
"Did you see my new mountain bike? It's loaded! It has full suspension, 24 gears, chrome rims..."

"Dude-do yourself a service and buy a road bike like mine. Then see if you can keep up with me on the road."
by spinningtabletop February 1, 2009
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on your left

What cyclists say by convention as they pass each other on the road, or occasionally as they ride near pedestrians. It is infinitely more cool than mounting a dorky little horn or bell on your handlebars and squeezing it at every opportunity. It may not be always be strictly necessary, but it is a little courtesy that will get you cred and make you look experienced.
<College student races to class and overtakes a pack of spandex cyclists, but remains silent.>

"On your left! On your leeeeeft!" You gotta let us know! Where are your manners?"

<sound of metal crunching and muffled screams. this guy will not have to say this for a while.>
by spinningtabletop January 31, 2009
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