loan shark

A person who lends money at high interest rates, or interest calcualted on a daily or weekly basis, with the threat of physical violence being used on failure to repay the loan.

A:"Is it fair to get a loan at 25% interest?"
B:"Fair to the loan shark you're borrowing from, maybe. . . "

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duck's nuts

To be the best in a category. Similar to bee's knees, and dating from the same time period circa 1930s

A:"Is C&C:Generals great or what?"
B:"It's the duck's nuts, alright!"
A:"Huh? You been hanging with granma again, dude?"

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soak opera

A science fiction or action film or television show which is set in or primarily in the ocean or underwater.

Derived from the term soap opera

" Of all the soak operas, Seaquest DSV is probably the most realistic, apart from Sea Hunt."

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shipstone

The act of a company taking over other companies, in order to grow larger. Secrecy about the takeover is implied but is not obvious or compulsory.

( Derived from the powerful Shipstone Corporation, which eventually owned Coca-Cola and 50% of all business on Earth in Robert Heinlien's novel "Friday"

"Gulf And Western shipstoned Paramount Pctures back in the eighties, then they sold it."

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Hot Pickle

An active weapon system such as a missile or bomb, or anything else that is ready for use by inference.

US Air Force slang, based on the fact that most air-dropped or -launched muntions are elongate like a dill pickle, and from the red button on the joystick used to fire theses weapons which resembles a slice of pickle found in burgers.

"With the target illuminated with a lser device carried by ground troops, the pilot activated the seeker head on the missile. 'Okay, I have a hot pickle, give me a go/no-go, FAC' he asked the Forward Air Controller"

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meanwhile, back at the ranch

A quote line to introduce a new topic of conversation, or to end a particualarly embarrassing line of talk.

Derived from the old horse operas where action at one point was interrupted to go to the ranch in question; This line being spoken by the narrator in order to assist the hard of thinking. ( A hold over from radio narration style )

A;"Anyway, how did your date with Sarah go?"
B:'OK, I guess . . . Did you know she was a hermaphrodite?"
(Silence)
A:"Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . . "

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Make hay while the sun shines

To take an opportunity to do something when the time and conditions are near perfect or available.

From agriculture, when farmers gather the long grass growth of summer to dry it to produce hay as winter feed for animals; The best time to cut and dry the hay is during sunny days.

A:"There's a sale at K-mart this week - You wanna see if the have something for your sister's birthday?"
B:" Sure - Might as well make hay while the sun shines, and get her something at cut price!"

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