Def. 1 (verb): to genetically alter a non-human species in such a way that they achieve a level and style of intelligence approaching that of human beings.
Def. 2 (noun): the process of uplifting a species.
Def. 3 (noun): an uplifed species or individual members of such a species
Bachground: Possibly first coined by David Brin in his series of science fiction books "The Uplift Saga".
Def. 1 - Although they still had decades of work ahead of them, technology had finally progressed to a level where octopi could be uplifted to become functioning members of human society.
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One of the more common extensions of the phrase "on toast", generally used in one of two ways:
Def. 1 (verb): To do something extremely adeptly or well.
Def. 2 (verb): To be exceptionally good or enjoyable.
Def. 1 - Of course Anna wasn't very good at archery the first time she picked up a bow this year, but after a couple months practice she really started to rock on toast during competitions.
Def. 2 - Plush new carpeting, utilities included, central location, and only $450 a month in rent?
Man, your new apartment rocks on toast!
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Romance novels with explicit sex.
Derived from "romance" + "erotica".
In some cases this word has been in a humorous, derrogatory, or ironic way used to point out the fact that certain novels are classified as "romance" and therefor seen as more socially acceptable, while other somewhat similar books are classified as "erotica" and recieve harsher social censure.
So you're looking for regency holiday novels with chaste heroines? It doesn't look like we many in the store. Mostly just romantica I'm afraid.
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(noun) A set of steps used to compensate for or avoid dealing with a systemic problem rather than fixing it.
Typically used in regard to computers or industrial work-flow.
The term "workaround" implies that there should be a quicker, more efficient, or otherwise better way to accomplish things. But also that such improved methods are unavailable due to some circumstances beyond the control of those directly involved.
Computers:
It's been noted that Version 2.5 can not read the files normally produced by Version 3.1. The workaround typically used to solve this problem involves saving the file in an unusual format then manually changing the file extension.
Work-flow:
He was by far the most inept and inefficient person on the team, but the details of his contract made it prohibitively expensive to fire him outright. So his co-workers invented elaborate workarounds to avoid having to deal with him, effectively making his job unnecessary.
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See "workaround" for definition.
No example available here.
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See definition for "workaround".
No example given here.
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Def. 1 (verb) To attempt the same challenging action after failure. Apparently derived from an old adage: "You have to get back on the horse that threw you."
Def. 2 (verb) To get back into a habit. Traditionally this would refer to a good habit, but sarcastically might refer to a bad habit or addiction. Possible confusion with the phrase "on the sauce".
Def. 1 - I know you burned the turkey trying to cook Thanksgiving dinner, but you can't let that stop you if you really want to become a chef. You'll just have to get back on the horse and try cooking it again.
Def. 2 - I'd been trying to do 30 minutes of exercise every day, but my work schedule eventually got so busy I could never make it to the gym. Things have calmed down quite a bit recently though and I keep meaning to get back on the horse and go work out again.
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