Elder Dictionary

Elderly Terms, Meanings and Definitions

Glossary

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dungarees, noun

/dun-ga-rees/

Heavy denim pants or overalls worn as work clothing.
Nothing protects old, pasty, white legs like a pair of dungarees.

Added on May 10, 2011 by Anonymous

davenport, noun

/dav-uhn-pawrt/

A large sofa, often covered in plastic in the "front" room that you are never allowed to sit on.
Bobby, get your toys off the davenport, you know that will wrinkle the plastic!

Added on May 9, 2011 by Dave P.

shit box, noun

An unsafe, and often unusable, restroom facility made from poor materials located outside of a person's dwelling such as an outhouse.
I'm going to go hit the shit box for a quick read of August's Playboy.

Added on May 9, 2011 by danielslaughter

dollop, noun

A large generous scoop of any particular cream based condiment, such as sour cream on your loaded baked potato.
I could use another dollop of white gravy on these retched dry potatoes if you don't mind.

Added on May 9, 2011 by danielslaughter

penny weight, noun

A very tiny measurement of weight.
She's so tiny she cannot weigh any more than a penny weight.

Added on May 9, 2011 by danielslaughter

doughboy, noun

Soldiers found particularly in World War I, however the name originates from the Mexican-American War of 1846. The term lost popularity after World War II due to the acceptance of other terms such as G.I., troop, and dogface.
That doughboy is a fine piece of meat.

Added on May 9, 2011 by Nick N.

rolly-polly

A physically plump individual, typically with rosy cheeks, who may resemble Santa Clause.
My granddaughter is pretty rolly-polly, so lets have her hand out presents this year.

Added on May 9, 2011 by danielslaughter

hitch in your get-along, phrase

When a person is hobbled or slowed in some way by an obstacle or other impediment.
Harvey would love to go to the dance, but with the cold and his bum leg he's got a real hitch in his get-along.

Added on May 9, 2011 by Ken Clinkenbeard

rounder, noun

/`roundər/

A person who frequents bars and is often drunk or a person who parks in cars against the advice of educational videos of the day.
His mother frowned upon his new girlfriend as she had a reputation as a rounder.

Added on May 9, 2011 by Ken Clinkenbeard

cute as a button, phrase

A statement claiming someone, typically a baby, is cute. Why a physical "button" is cute is a legend few understand other than it may represent facial roundness and symmetry.
Betty's new baby boy is cute as a button.

Added on May 8, 2011 by danielslaughter

dime store, noun

A small store which sells minimal items specializing in nicknacks, candy, Hallmark cards, and hidden treasures in a desolate town.
Johnny went down to the dime store for a root-beer float.

Added on May 8, 2011 by danielslaughter

gingerly

Taking caution in your actions without causing much haste.

Added on May 8, 2011 by danielslaughter

little bugger

An insult to a child or youth for being a pest.
"You little buggers, I'll get you" the old man shouted at the truck full of young men as they hastily drove away.

Added on May 8, 2011 by danielslaughter

rotary, noun

A telephone. Originated from an old technology where pins and gears would have to be physically rotated on a device to place a phone call through to a switchboard center.

Added on May 8, 2011 by danielslaughter

whatchamacallit

/what-cha-ma-call-it/

When describing an item of an unknown title, such as a doodad, this phrase is used to make the sentence sound less silly, fully completed, and educated.
I was working on the whatchamacallit right before the pistons blew.

Added on May 8, 2011 by Terra M.