James William's definitions

watergate

Any incredibly long, boring and mystifying process; something bad, tedious and of interest only to fools. A show put on for the public to convince them that the government is accountable and journalists have teeth. A settling of scores between rival corrupt elements of the elite. Also now used for any case of corruption, eg, Zipper-Gate, Monica-Gate, etc. Surely there should be a Gates-Gate involving Bill Gates - we just have to hope for that.

Woodward and Bernstein preen themselves that they brought down Nixon over Watergate, as if that would be allowed to happen! Nixon was obviously doomed for some reason we are not told about.

by James William June 7, 2005

Wales

A unit of measurement, eg, "an area the size of Wales". Interchangeable with other units like the Rhode Island, the Greenland and the Texas. Most commonly used in news broadcasts and radio shows. 'The Wales' is not to be confused with the country Wales (part of the UK), with which it has nothing in common.

A lump of ice the size of Wales has broked off Antarctica.

by James William June 22, 2005