T-time

Let me share with you some, how do you call them, nicknames? Last week I watched TV programs varying from National Geographic to a cook show to a crime series, and I learnt three expressions that I thought were so pretty, they are obvious blog material.

The first is T-Tail. Every airplane has a tail, but most have their elevator flaps (those horizontal surfboards at the back of the plane that make its nose go up or down in front) under the rudder (that vertical boogy board in the same spot). And some have those elevator flaps on top, giving it the shape of a T - hence the term T-Tail. Well spotted and named if you ask me.

Here's another: Twelve-Top. You know when you go to a restaurant and you make a reservation, once you get there, you are brought to a specific table. What you may not know, is that an entire jargon underlies that very system, and many restaurants are designed allowing for the room to be filled with couples to groups. It's quite a feat for a restaurant, when it books a large group, financially, but more importantly: logistically. It puts an entirely diffferent stress dynamic to the kitchen. So, if you book a table with a restaurant, and you happen to be a dozen, simply know that backstage you will be referred to as a Twelve Top and that the chef will treat his staff quite differently.

And finally - avoid learning this in real life, as it will mean you are a suspect in a crime. Because once you have been finger-printed, you will have, and someone can pull, your Ten-Card.

Language really is a beautiful thing.