gumption trap

Noun. A human-created situation that drains away initiative or original effort.
From gumption (spunk; resourcefulness; sensible initiative) + trap (a trick or contrivance for catching and holding people or animals).

Your constant objections are turning this meeting into a gumption trap.

Don't ask Linda to get involved with anything that has to get done right away; the woman is a walking gumption trap.

Surfing the Web has become a gumption trap for millions of people.

413👍 192👎

cheaters' table

The most secluded table in a restaurant, requested by patrons--often those who are engaged in an illicit love affair--who don't want to be noticed by others.

Halfway through lunch I saw Sam and Angela sitting at the cheaters' table in the corner, staring into each other's eyes over their salads and wine. I wonder what her husband would say about that!

2👍 1👎

lovescape

Noun. The place in your heart populated by those you love, including but not limited to: friends, relatives, spouses, soul mates, pets, celebrities, and religious figures.
A combination term using "love" and "landscape."

The guy who pulled my son out of that burning car has a place in my lovescape forever.

My first-grade teacher is in my lovescape, along with my mom, my boyfriend, my mechanic, Cary Grant, and my cat.

You entered my lovescape when you sang "My Funny Valentine" as we walked through Central Park last night.

East Bejesus

A particularly remote, inconvenient location. Akin to the informal use of 'Siberia.'

"When should we leave to get to Carla's house on time?"
"Well, she lives in East Bejesus, so I guess we better get going now."

Also:

"The mall is so busy today, I had to park in East Bejesus."

GOTEL

Acronym for Guardian of the English Language. A person dedicated to proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage. A GOTEL will sometimes, on a discussion thread, leave a polite comment that corrects an error. A courteous GOTEL will avoid correcting a speaker in live conversation, but may gently hint at correct usage by employing the word or term properly. GOTELs are frequently found among the ranks of editors, teachers, and word-game enthusiasts.

As a dedicated GOTEL, I pointed out that the term 'just desserts' should properly be written 'just deserts,' as it refers to something justly deserved, not a slice of cheesecake which might be chosen for dessert after a meal.

story killer

A person who ruins a story someone else is telling, by breaking in with an impatient question, or by blurting out a guess at how it ends.

Janice: "So I'm at the grocery store and this guy I never met before takes my hand and--"
Chuck: "And he proposes, right?"
Janice, "Man, are you a story killer or what?"

custode

Verb. To temporarily keep safe.

Will you custode my sunglasses while I go for a swim?

3👍 1👎