B.E.R.

Abbreviation for "Beyond Economic Repair". Generally used to describe damage, usually crash damage to a vehicle (especially an airframe) which is so badly mangled that to fix it would cost more than replacement; the best option is to salvage any reuseable parts and junk the rest.

"How's your bike ?"
"Shit, both wheels buckled and the frame bent. It's B.E.R., I'm going to get a new one on the insurance."

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running on impulse engines

In the original Star Trek series, whenever the main engines (warp drive) broke down (which was pretty frequent) the Enterprise would only be able to move using "impulse engines" - a low power, sub-lightspeed manouvering system based on a small fusion ram/ion drive.

By inference, someone described as "running on impilse engines" or "impulse power only" is either:

1. Very tired (a.k.a. 'running on empty')

2. Genuinely ill

3. (derog.) Slow and/or stupid.

"Jesus, I've just had to brief the sales guys on the new product.... they're all running on impulse engies up there".

"You want to go for a beer ?"

"No, man, I'm running on impulse engines... got to go home and grab some sleep."

pegging the gauge

All systems wound up beyond the safe limit; literally, the needle on an analog dial has gone right round the dial, so far round that it's hit the peg marking the Zero poistion from the back.

Also known as redlining.

"I got the job done, but I was pegging the gauge by the end."

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Total replacement therapy

When something is so badly damaged that the only option is to get a new one; it might be a critical component, or the whole thing.

"Can you fix it ?"

"No. Your hard drive is screwed. Total replacement therapy is indicated."

"Bugger !"

Electra glide

A model of motorcycle manufactured by Harley Davidson

"What's that bike ?"

"Owwwww ... that's an original Electra Glide .... monkey see, monkey want ..."

redlining

Running a piece of equipment, most often an engine or other powerplant, way beyond it's rated maximum, usually in an emergency situation.

Usually, denoted by taking the engine revs or temperature up into the red area on an indicator dial, risking permanent damage or catastrophic failure.

"How fast will that thing go ?"

"One fifty five, but after one forty you'll be redlining"

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floor show

1. A minor fight or fracas, usually in a drinking establishment or other place of public entertainment. The actual level of violence is low, due to the participants being inept, inebriated or both. Hence the incident is entertaining rather than frightening to the onlookers.

"I was in <drinking establishment> last night - there was a terrific floor show. Some drunk guy got chucked out by the doormen."

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