A squib is a miniature explosive device used in a wide range of industries.
Origin of the phrase "damp squib"
While most modern squibs used by professionals are insulated from moisture, older uninsulated squibs needed to be kept dry in order to ignite, so a "damp squib" was literally one that failed to perform because it got wet. The phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.
The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, as a synonym for dud.
A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced /?zi?n/ "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.
A popular definition includes that circulation must be 5,000 or less, although in practice the significant majority are produced in editions of less than 100, and profit is not the primary intent of publication.
Comments by zeepkist
zeepkist commented on the word resurrected-by
A squib is a miniature explosive device used in a wide range of industries.
Origin of the phrase "damp squib"
While most modern squibs used by professionals are insulated from moisture, older uninsulated squibs needed to be kept dry in order to ignite, so a "damp squib" was literally one that failed to perform because it got wet. The phrase "damp squib" has since come into general use to mean anything that fails to meet expectations.
The word "squib" has come to take on a similar meaning even when used alone, as a synonym for dud.
July 17, 2009
zeepkist commented on the word Zine
A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced /?zi?n/ "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.
A popular definition includes that circulation must be 5,000 or less, although in practice the significant majority are produced in editions of less than 100, and profit is not the primary intent of publication.
July 14, 2009