All Terms

271 terms(showing 181-200)

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Oriental

Derived from the Latin orientalis, meaning "rising" (referring to the risin...

Derived from the Latin orientalis, meaning "rising" (referring to the rising sun in the East), the term Oriental has historically been used to describe the geography, culture, and inhabitants of Asia—specifically East Asia. For centuries, it served a...

30%

paddy wagon

A "paddy wagon" is a slang term, primarily used in North America, referring...

A "paddy wagon" is a slang term, primarily used in North America, referring to a police van utilized for transporting prisoners or suspects. The term originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is derived from "Paddy," a diminutive form of ...

40%

paraplegic

The term "paraplegic" is used as both an adjective and a noun to describe a...

The term "paraplegic" is used as both an adjective and a noun to describe a person affected by paraplegia—impairment or loss of motor or sensory function in the lower extremities, typically resulting from a spinal cord injury or congenital condition....

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peanut gallery

The phrase "peanut gallery" is an idiom used to describe a group of people ...

The phrase "peanut gallery" is an idiom used to describe a group of people who provide heckling, unwanted advice, or insignificant criticism. The term originated in the late 19th-century American vaudeville and burlesque theater scenes. It specifical...

60%

people-of-color

The term "people of color" is a collective identifier used to describe indi...

The term "people of color" is a collective identifier used to describe individuals who are not considered white, including Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, and multiracial people. Historically, the phrase appears in records from the late 18th an...

90%

picnic

A picnic is a social gathering at which a meal is eaten outdoors, ideally i...

A picnic is a social gathering at which a meal is eaten outdoors, ideally in a scenic landscape such as a park or lakeside. The word originates from the French term pique-nique, which appeared in print as early as It combines the verb piquer (to pick...

92%

policeman

The term policeman refers to a member of a police force, historically funct...

The term policeman refers to a member of a police force, historically functioning as the standard noun for the profession. Etymologically, it combines "police" (derived from Middle French and Latin roots concerning civil administration) with "man." I...

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Pow wow

The term pow wow (or powwow) originates from the Narragansett word powwaw, ...

The term pow wow (or powwow) originates from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader." Historically, English settlers adopted the word to refer to the ceremonies and councils where these leaders presided. Today, in its primary context...

35%

preferred pronouns

The term "preferred pronouns" refers to the set of third-person pronouns (s...

The term "preferred pronouns" refers to the set of third-person pronouns (such as he/him, she/her, or they/them) that an individual designates for others to use when referring to them. Gaining prominence in the 2010s alongside increased visibility of...

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prima donna

Derived from the Italian phrase for "first lady," a prima donna originally ...

Derived from the Italian phrase for "first lady," a prima donna originally referred to the leading female singer in an opera company—a role historically associated with immense talent but also demanding behavior. Over time, the term migrated from the...

55%

Pronouns

a word that substitutes for a noun, in particular, a person's name; a perso...

a word that substitutes for a noun, in particular, a person's name; a person's pronouns does not necessarily align with their gender presentation or their gender identity; a person gets to say what pronouns they and others use to refer to them; prono...

85%

prostitute

The term prostitute refers to a person who engages in sexual activity in ex...

The term prostitute refers to a person who engages in sexual activity in exchange for payment. Etymologically, it derives from the Latin verb prostituere, meaning "to expose publicly" or "to offer for sale." Historically, it has been the standard leg...

45%

prude

The term prude refers to a person who is described as being easily shocked ...

The term prude refers to a person who is described as being easily shocked by matters of sex, nudity, or perceived immorality, often displaying excessive modesty or propriety. The word originated from the French adjective prude, meaning "virtuous" or...

55%

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a clinical psychiatric diagnosis e...

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a clinical psychiatric diagnosis established in the DSM-III in 1980 to describe a condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. However, in contemporary casual conversation and internet...

45%

pull the trigger

To "pull the trigger" is an idiom meaning to commit to a course of action, ...

To "pull the trigger" is an idiom meaning to commit to a course of action, finalize a decision, or execute a plan, particularly after a period of hesitation or preparation. The phrase is a direct metaphor derived from the mechanics of firearms, where...

85%

quadriplegic

The term "quadriplegic" describes a person affected by paralysis of all fou...

The term "quadriplegic" describes a person affected by paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, typically resulting from an injury to the cervical spinal cord. Etymologically, the word is a hybrid construction, combining the Latin prefix quadri(fou...

90%

queer

Originally entering the English language in the 16th century with the meani...

Originally entering the English language in the 16th century with the meaning of "strange," "odd," or "peculiar," the term queer evolved by the late 19th and early 20th centuries into a pejorative slur used against those with same-sex attractions. Ho...

82%

rain dance

Literally, a rain dance is a ceremonial dance performed by people who belie...

Literally, a rain dance is a ceremonial dance performed by people who believe it will cause rain and ensure a successful harvest. While these rituals exist in cultures ranging from Ancient Egypt to southeastern Europe, in the North American context, ...

30%

real man

The phrase "real man" is an idiom used to distinguish between a biological ...

The phrase "real man" is an idiom used to distinguish between a biological adult male and an individual who embodies an idealized or archetypal standard of masculinity. Historically rooted in traditional gender roles and patriarchal structures, the t...

55%

retard

Derived from the Latin retardare, meaning "to make slow, delay, keep back, ...

Derived from the Latin retardare, meaning "to make slow, delay, keep back, or hinder," the term entered English initially as a verb used in mechanics and physics. In the medical field during the early 20th century, "mental retardation" was introduced...

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