Hello and welcome to an extensive list of all things vocabulary. This is not necessarily anything that was said at Luke's, but instead any/all of the miscellaneous definitions that didn't fit into any of our other categories. Kind of the more boring side of things, but still interesting or helpful if you're unfamiliar with a certain term.
jump to: cassoulet • trailblazer • equestrian • patron of the arts • masquerade balls • debating team • basketball • lacrosse • swimming • track • golf • butcher • blindsided • diatribe • advil • jordan almonds • tee off at • fbi • forscape and d.s.s. • endive • polaroid • excruciating • country club • strawberry shortcake • public access station • obscene • serene • myriad • yen • hostel thing • odious • litigation • tulle • tutu • nefarious • conspiracy • i'll steel myself • broker • environmental blight • devastators • a fez (hat) • metronome • choreographer • jukebox • paring knife • spider monkey • prozac • cheer • mtv
Cassoulet
It’s cold today as I write this, so this one sounds pretty good. It’s a rich, slow-cooked casserole containing meat, pork skin, and white beans, originating in southern France. It is named after its traditional cooking vessel, the casserole, a deep, round, earthenware pot with slanting sides.
Trailblazer
Has nothing to do with actual walking trails (I mean, I guess one could physically get up at dawn and create a trail by hand, but it’s not likely or common) and/or trail mix. It’s simply a pioneer. Somebody who's willing to take risks and go down a path that isn't already there. They metaphorically “blaze” or create a trail and leave a path for others. They’re essentially the leaders.
Equestrian
The first Lorelai Gilmore (Richard’s mother) apparently was* (more on that in a sec.) an extraordinary person who did a lot of things. One of the things being an equestrian. It represents a person mounted on a horse; of or relating to horseback riding or horseback riders. In other words, she rode horses. Big deal, right? Well, it seems common that in shows or movies when people are into the equestrian world (horse racing, showing, etc.) they come from a background of wealth. This is somewhat our first clue or insight that the Gilmores (being Richard & Emily) already had a “money” advantage in society being that Richard’s mom is rich. So of course, he’s rich. Yes, I’m sure he makes good money with his insurance business, but it didn’t hurt that he already had that foundation into the elite societies of the world.
*Now, I say was because they talk about his mom as if she’s already passed away. However, we later see that she is very much alive.
Patron of the arts
Another one of the things. The first Lorelai was considered a patron of the arts, according to Richard. This is someone who acts as a patron to or supports charities, organizations, and individuals that work in or concern the arts. Another sign that homegirl is loaded.
Masquerade balls
Lastly, Richard mentions how his mother was known for her masquerade balls. So, she’s not equestrian or patron of the arts rich. She’s hey-I-can-host-my-very-own-expensive-masquerade-balls-just-like-the-old-times-and-have-it-headlined-on-international-newspapers-the-next-day-just-because-I’m-a-Gilmore rich. More or less the newspaper bit. But anyways, a masquerade ball is an event in which many participants attend in costume wearing a mask. Less formal "costume parties" may be a descendant of this tradition. A masquerade ball usually encompasses music and dancing. These nighttime events are used for entertainment and celebrations. So. A Halloween party that doesn’t have to be near Halloween. It can be at any time of the year. And it’s for fancy people. AKA the Gilmores. (should I capitalize “the” there? Seems appropriate talking about Lorelai #1. Alright, so. Take 2). AKA The Gilmores.
Debating team
The line from Lorelai about how the debating team should be a sport the way the Gilmores play is probably single-handedly the most honest line to come out of this whole show. Because WOW can these people debate a topic. One could even argue (see what I did there) that almost every Friday night dinner is a debate in itself. A debating team is a group of people (usually school or college students, but in this case, the Gilmores lol) who take part in competitive debates, which are formal discussions of a subject. A debate is an argument with rules. In a standard debate, two teams are presented with a resolution or topic, and each team has a set period of time to prepare an argument. One team argues in favor (pro) and the other argues in opposition (con). A judge or a panel of judges assigns points based on the strength of the arguments and the professionalism of the teams. One team is usually declared the winner, and that team advances to a new round. A new round being a new round of drinks for our Gilmore team.
Basketball
Rory and I could be great friends when it comes to sports. I respect it, but it ain’t me. Basketball is colloquially referred to as hoops. It’s a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball through the defender’s hoop mounted 10 feet high to a backboard at each end of the court while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop. It’s fast-paced and entertaining to watch, but the whole hand-eye coordination thing just got lost and thrown out with my genetic makeup. Mad respect to those who have it.
Lacrosse
Another one. This one is a team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins in a tribal game played by the indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and by various other indigenous peoples of North America. Probably why it’s played in a lot of the Ivy League schools (both college and prep). It’s something old that’s highly respected because of its oldness / historicalness. Just like Ivy League schools themselves.
Swimming
A much-favorited pastime during the summer months (and all the other months here in Texas). Swimming is the sport or activity of propelling oneself through water using the limbs. If you don’t use the limbs, you drown. So make sure to pay attention to that part of the definition.
Track
Track and field is a sport which includes athletic contests established on the skills of running, jumping, and throwing. The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping events.
Golf
The only thing I like about this one is the courses. If you go on a nice day (and by go, I mean drive around in a golf cart enjoying the scenery and weather and reading or listening to music while your husband actually does the whole sport thing), then it’s quite enjoyable. Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Top Golf is about where it ends for me (it’s fun, if you’ve never been).
Butcher
This is a person whose trade is cutting up and selling meat in a shop.
Blindsided
To catch (someone) unprepared and/or attack from an unexpected position. Emily manipulating Rory into golfing with Richard. Rory was the one blindsided. Although, from the looks of it, so was Richard.
Diatribe
Should be Lorelai’s middle name. Known less formally as a rant, is a lengthy oration, though often reduced to writing, made in criticism of someone or something, often employing humor, sarcasm, and appeals to emotion. Many, many, many diatribes in this show. But that’s why we love it.
Advil
My go-to pain killer mostly because, being a nurse and witnessing how bad addictions can be, I’m terrified to take anything stronger. Tylenol extra strength is about as crazy as I’ll go. Anyways, also known as ibuprofen, Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat fever and mild to severe pain.
Jordan almonds
A bite-sized form of confectionery with a hard-outer shell, are often used as wedding favors, with the “bitter” almonds and “sweet” sugar symbolizing the bitterness of life and sweetness of love. I never knew that. I always thought people just really enjoyed almonds.
Tee off at
A golf thing. It means to start or begin your many hours long golf sesh; to drive from a tee. In other words, if you tell the golf place you’ll tee off at 8, you better be hitting your first ball by 8.
FBI
Founded in 1908, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, headquartered in Washington D.C., is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. It’s where Mulder and Scully work (bonus points if you get that reference).
Forscape and D.S.S.
Nope. Not a thing. It’s just two fictional finance companies made up for the sole purpose of giving Richard a talking point in this scene. Cue a random (low-quality) photo of Richard & Rory in its place.
Endive
Sounds like a disease symptom, but it’s actually a leaf vegetable belonging to the genus Cichorium (whatever that means), which includes several similar, bitter, leafed vegetables.
Polaroid
This instant camera is a type of camera which uses self-developing film to create a chemically developed print shortly after taking the picture. Polaroid Corporation pioneered consumer-friendly instant cameras and film and were followed by various other manufacturers. It’s those things in all the Tumblr aesthetics.
Excruciating
Intensely painful. Hopefully not what you’re feeling by reading these.
Country club
Most likely where you’ll go to play your fancy golf at. It’s a privately-owned club, often with a membership quota and admittance by invitation or sponsorship (aka, you gotta know someone or be rich. No in-between), that generally offers both a variety of recreational sports and facilities for dining and entertaining. Typical athletic offerings are golf, tennis, and swimming. And alcohol.
Strawberry shortcake
SO good. It’s a sweet cake or biscuit in the American sense that is a crumbly bread (angel food cake is my personal fav bread foundation) that has been leavened with baking powder or baking soda. In the UK, the term shortcake refers to a biscuit like shortbread. They are generally less dense and crunchier and drier than shortbread. PS - fair warning, this picture may cause hunger.
Public access station
Traditionally a form of non-commercial mass media where the general public can create content television programming which is narrowcast through cable TV specialty channels.
Obscene
We’ve talked about this one before with Lane’s mom being appalled by the obscene portion sizes of American food. It means offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.
Serene
Yes, it rhymes with our previous word, obscene, but it’s completely different. Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil. Think spas, or long walks on the beach. That’s serene. Not at all obscene, you know what I mean? Ok, apologies for that cringe rhyming moment. I’m done now. Let’s move on.
Myriad
A countless or extremely great number. That’s it. That’s the tweet.
Yen
Not the currency, but the strong desire or inclination to do something. Like travel. That urge to travel? That’s yen!
Hostel thing
a hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory, with shared use of a lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex and have private or shared bathrooms.
Odious
If you want to remember this one, think of body odor and how it can smell really bad sometimes. Odor. Odious. Sounds somewhat alike. Odious means extremely unpleasant; repulsive. Just like bad BO. Only in this case, it’s referring the whole person, personality and all. We see why.
Litigation
The process of taking legal action, such as a lawsuit, which is a proceeding by a party or parties against another in the civil court of law. Yeah, I suck at law terms so we’ll just leave it at that.
Tulle
A soft, fine silk, cotton, or nylon material like net, used for making veils and dresses. Never does what you want.
Tutu
Sometimes made out of the beforementioned tulle, is a female ballet dancer's costume consisting of a bodice and an attached skirt incorporating numerous layers of fabric, this being either short and stiff and projecting horizontally from the waist (the classical tutu) or long, soft, and bell-shaped (the romantic tutu).
Nefarious
Means wicked or criminal. Ferrets are cute but sneaky little things, so that’s how I remember this one.
Conspiracy
Cue the Illuminati memes. A conspiracy is a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
I'll steel myself
This one means to make (oneself) ready for something difficult or unpleasant; to fill (oneself) with determination and courage. Turn your mental state into steel basically.
Broker
A person or firm who arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller for a commission when the deal is executed. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal. I’ll take Google’s word for it on this one.
Environmental blight
According to Luke, golf courses are an environmental blight to society because they tend to use harsh chemicals to keep the grass looking that pretty green. An environmental blight is a disease or injury of plants marked by the formation of lesions, withering, and death of parts (such as leaves and tubers).
Devastators
To lay waste or make desolate; ravage; destroy.
A fez (hat)
Not the country. The hat. Also called Tarboosh, a fez is a felt headdress in the shape of a short cylindrical peakless hat, usually red, and sometimes with a tassel attached to the top. It refers to the Moroccan city of Fez where the dye to color the hat was extracted from crimson berries.
Metronome
That annoying ticking device that produces an audible click or other sound at a regular interval that can be set by the user, typically in beats per minute. Musicians use the device to practice playing to a regular pulse. Metronomes typically include synchronized visual motion. Drives me crazy after a while, but I understand and respect the point of them.
Choreographer
A person who composes the sequence of steps and moves for a performance of dance.
Jukebox
A partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron’s selection from self-contained media. The classic jukebox has buttons, with letters and numbers on them, which, when one of each group entered after each other, are used to select a specific record. Next time you’re in an old-fashioned diner, look for one. Or a Texas Roadhouse.
Paring knife
A small knife used mainly for peeling fruits and vegetables. Should be called a pear-ing knife LOL. Sorry.
Spider monkey
These guys are New World monkeys (As opposed to Old World I guess?) belonging to the genus Ateles, part of the subfamily Atelinae, family Atelidae. Like other atelines, they are found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil. I have no idea about anything in that whole definition, but in short, they’re just a type of monkey.
Prozac
Generically known as fluoxetine, is a drug that can treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder.
Cheer
Simply put, it’s a laundry detergent sold in the United States and Canada. Manufactured by Procter & Gamble and sold since 1950.
MTV
MTV is an American cable channel, launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks division of ViacomCBS, also headquartered in New York City.
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