A boat captain oversees the crew and running of the boat, and may require a license. They must be knowledgeable in all aspects of operating a boat, including safety and security measures. They are responsible for the condition of the cargo and crew safety, and must make final decisions in emergency situations. A boat captain […]
Prequalification is a process used by financial institutions to determine a consumer’s creditworthiness based on personal finance qualifications. It is not the same as preapproval and does not guarantee credit. Consumers provide financial information to initiate the process, and the institution evaluates the information to determine initial creditworthiness. The process does not obligate the institution […]
A construction offer is a proposal from a company outlining qualifications, cost, and time needed for a project. Bids can be for an entire project or part of it, and contractors can obtain project information to build a bid. Sealed bids discourage bribery and favoritism, and estimates can vary widely. Specific formatting rules must be […]
Classic fiction refers to creative works that have received recognition or scholarly discussion, including novels and short stories. Lists of classic fiction often focus on Western European works but can include texts from other regions and genres. These lists shape literature courses and academic debate, while commercially marketed classic editions appeal to readers seeking intellectual […]
The American phrase “and all that jazz” is slang for “etc.” and is often used disparagingly. It originated from the Creole phrase for sex and dance, and was first used to refer to music in 1913. The phrase gained popularity after the musical Chicago in 1975 and is now commonly used in Great Britain and […]
Horse fiction is a genre that includes stories about horses and their owners, with famous books like Black Beauty and The Horse Whisperer. Children’s equestrian fiction often features horses as main characters, while adult stories revolve around human characters. Authors must do research to avoid mistakes, as readers may know more about horses. Horses have […]
Egg white cervical mucus is a stretchy, slippery discharge that is secreted from the cervix before and during ovulation to help sperm swim through the vagina more easily and protect against the acidic nature of the vagina. It can be used to predict ovulation and fertility, and an absence of it for more than a […]
An art endowment can be a gift of art with donor-imposed restrictions or a monetary gift invested to purchase art, and is crucial for nonprofit organizations like museums and universities. Donor restrictions can include bans on selling the art or using proceeds for anything other than buying more art. An art endowment can be any […]
Economic equity is when resources, taxes, and assets are balanced, allowing consumers to participate in the economy without financial hardship. There are different approaches to achieving this, but it requires a fair allocation of taxes, assets, and resources. Governments may implement financial strategies to achieve economic equity, but it can be difficult to maintain over […]
Lexophiles, or word lovers, study words in any language and may pursue careers in dictionary writing, teaching, or research. They enjoy puns and exploring language evolution and regional dialects. Websites and message boards connect like-minded individuals. Academic careers may require a master’s degree. A lexophile is a lover of words. Other words have been coined […]
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin created the world’s smallest test tube in 2009, using carbon and a germanium wire with a gold tip, viewed under an electron microscope to observe materials melting when exposed to heat. The tubes can reach one-thousandth the diameter of a strand of human hair. In 2009, researchers […]
The oral mucosa is a protective tissue in the mouth that can absorb materials and produce secretions. There are three types of oral mucosa, and its color can vary. Leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma are potential problems. Gum recession can lead to periodontal disease, and it’s important to treat infections and diseases of the mouth. […]
A master technician is an experienced mechanic who has passed certification exams, and typically works as a chief mechanic in repair shops, supervising crews and handling tough jobs. They may also operate their own independent workshop and are responsible for managing administrative tasks. A master technician is an expert in car maintenance and repair, who […]
A health reimbursement account is an employer-funded account used to cover employee health expenses, often used instead of group health insurance or to help with high-deductible plans. Employers must create a plan outlining what expenses can be reimbursed, and there are tax benefits for both employers and employees. Employees have control over their healthcare expenses, […]
Online behavioral advertising collects information about a user’s preferences to tailor specific ads to them. This method is successful because it targets users with ads they are more likely to click, but some consider it a violation of privacy. Network advertising is similar but on a larger scale. When a company uses information gathered from […]
“Bigger fish to fry” is an idiom meaning someone has more important things to do. “Little fry” refers to minor matters. The origin is unknown, but it’s well-known in Irish and British culture. Other languages have their own versions. English has many idioms, with origins in other languages. “Bigger fish to fry” is a colloquial […]
Psychobabble is the misuse of psychological terms by unqualified individuals, often due to the popularity of self-help books. Terms like “dysfunctional” have lost their meaning and are open to interpretation. Dismissing mental health diagnoses as psychobabble or self-diagnosing can be problematic. Some motivational speakers and self-help writers also use jargon-heavy psychological terms without proper context. […]
A land agent is a specialist in selling and acquiring land for individuals and corporations, providing valuable services such as pricing, listing, showing, and drafting contracts. They can also help businesses locate properties for specific purposes. A land agent is an individual who serves as a liaison between a landlord and the person who wants […]
A caesura is a pause in poetry or music that occurs naturally in rhythm or speech. There are two types: feminine and masculine. In poetry, it breaks a metrical foot into two parts and is identified by double pipes. In music, it is denoted by a symbol of five horizontal parallel lines with a double […]
Glycol dehydration removes excess water from natural gas for transportation and consumer use. Raw gas is carried through liquid glycol molecules to remove water vapor, which is recycled. Triethylene glycol is the most common glycol used due to its high boiling point. Glycol dehydration is a process used in the purification of natural gas. It […]
