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Terms Which Have Disappeared

Bushman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,138
Location
Joliet
My town actually only has one alley, between the bank and the dentist.
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Messages
13,672
Location
down south
When was the last time you saw a Zarf?

For those of you who are not Lizzie Maine, in the sixties and seventies some restaurants served coffee in disposable plastic or paper cups set in a metal or plastic holder.

The holder is called a Zarf. A quick web search turned up the information that the zarf dates back to the 13th century and is Arabic in origin. I never knew that. Also, the cardboard sleeve they put on take out coffees is a kind of zarf. Didn't know that either.

761fd49a921d99a45dbd5c9ff1c6e8f5.jpg

Meant to post this the other day, but it took a little digging to find it. I immediately thought of it when I saw this post.

This is an ''official" zarf used by the Ukrainian national railroad for their in-car service. I remember the plastic ones with the paper cups from when I was a little kid, and that was the first thing that popped into my mind when the car attendant brought us coffee in these. Never knew what they were called, though.
 
Messages
17,215
Location
New York City
My grandmother lived in a tenement and we used to park in the alley when we visited. Very moment out of time - the fire escapes dropped into the alley. Oddly, New York has almost no alley's but land is too expensive to have alleys in this crazy city.
 

Stearmen

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,202
For our city, the alleys disappeared in the 60s. You can get more houses in that way! If they have to replace a power poll, they just lift it over the house. Try to explain that mishap to the insurance company!
 
Messages
10,939
Location
My mother's basement
^^^^^

For the same reason, I avoid "bistros" and anyone selling "pre-owned" cars.

There's an alley behind this place we moved into three months ago. It's a dirt alley, but it's an alley.
 
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2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
When did that happen? The city we live in has alleys in many of the residential areas. lol


The same thing in my neck of the woods. My house is towards the left & I hardly see my neighbors to the right. I like it. :D
But on occasions when it rains a lot it can get challenging to drive.


1zcibds.jpg


I usually let my cat & goldfish enjoy it.

2u8h277.png
 
Messages
13,466
Location
Orange County, CA
It seems that the co-pilot of an airliner used to be known as a First Officer. I flew Virgin America to and from Orlando this past week and the captain, when introducing his flight crew, referred to the co-pilot as a "co-captain." I've never heard that one before.
 
Messages
12,017
Location
East of Los Angeles
My great-Aunt used to live in Downey/South Gate down there and that was my first introduction to an alley being behind the house. It is one thing to have your neighbor directly behind you but the whole neighborhood being open to you?!:doh:
My wife and I lived in a house with an alley behind it for 14-1/2 years. In that time the only trouble the alley caused us was when a city cop cited my wife's car because it was "blocking" the alley during the 15 minutes it was parked there. Apparently, six inches of front bumper constituted "blocking" on that day, regardless of how easily the officer was able to drive his wide-ass cruiser through the alley without hitting anything. :mmph: The inconsiderate neighbors were far more troublesome than that alley.
 

Shangas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,116
Location
Melbourne, Australia
It seems that the co-pilot of an airliner used to be known as a First Officer. I flew Virgin America to and from Orlando this past week and the captain, when introducing his flight crew, referred to the co-pilot as a "co-captain." I've never heard that one before.

In older planes, it went Captain (pilot), First Officer (co-pilot) and Flight Engineer, I believe.

And every flight I've been on, the other dude behind the wheel was always introduced as either co-pilot, or first officer. Never heard of 'co-captain' before. Is this another one of those newfangled "PC" things they're putting in now?
 
Messages
10,939
Location
My mother's basement
^^^^^^
Am I understanding you to say a neighbor dropped a dime on you? And the local constabulary gave this egregious code violation such a priority as to respond in a matter of just few minutes?
 
Messages
12,017
Location
East of Los Angeles
^^^^^^
Am I understanding you to say a neighbor dropped a dime on you? And the local constabulary gave this egregious code violation such a priority as to respond in a matter of just few minutes?
No Sir, I was merely pointing out that the inconsiderate neighbors were more troublesome during those 14-1/2 years than the alley. On that day, I'm sure we were nothing more than the victims of a local police officer who had fallen behind on his monthly quota for ticket-writing.
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
No Sir, I was merely pointing out that the inconsiderate neighbors were more troublesome during those 14-1/2 years than the alley. On that day, I'm sure we were nothing more than the victims of a local police officer who had fallen behind on his monthly quota for ticket-writing.


My '39 Ford was 10" off the drive way. The code compliance officer apologized to me about having to bring
this complaint from "inconsiderate neighbors". On the plus side...I like to think that my neighbors are sitting
by the window on the watch for any other dangerous activities whether from me or strangers ...;)
 

KILO NOVEMBER

One Too Many
Messages
1,068
Location
Hurricane Coast Florida
And while we're at it ...

When I am taking in a movie, or a meal out, or a night in a hotel room, I am a customer. I am not a "guest."

When I am a guest somewhere, I don't expect to pay for the hospitality proffered. When I am a customer, I expect to pay for the service, and I expect the service or product or both to be satisfactory. If I were a guest, and the meal wasn't satisfactory, it would be a faux pas to complain. If I am a customer, and the goods or services were unsatisfactory, pointing this out to the vendor and his staff (in a polite, direct, and unambiguous manner) gives them an opportunity to improve.
 

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