Death Cruiser

Somewhat morbid nickname for the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 airliner, after several prominent crashes with many fatalities. Nickname frequently used by aircraft mechanics that worked on them. (Its descendant, the MD-11 was known by the mechanics as "More Death II").

"What are we working on tonight?"

"A 737 and a death cruiser."

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49th parallel

Slang reference for the border between the United States and Canada. The 49th parallel of latitude does make up the western third of the U.S. - Canada border (the border dips south through the Great Lakes region), but the term refers to the entire border, referring to both the geographic and cultural divide between the two countries. Although scrutiny is understandably higher since 9/11, the border is still probably the most open international border in the world.

The 49th parallel is the longest undefended border in the world.

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drive-thru

Window at the side of fast food places where you can get food (of some description) without leaving your car. Also sometimes a place where you can get good drugs without leaving your car, if you know the right stuff to order. Primarily a North American thing, in tune with the American way of conducting as much of life as possible from the car.

I don't want a sit-down meal tonight, let's just get something at the drive-thru.

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Christmas Graduate

University student that is kicked out of school halfway through the year due to poor academic performance.

"Where did Charlie go?"

"He got debarred. He's a Christmas Graduate."

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