Construction & Buildings Slang, Jargon, and New Words from Double-Tongued Dictionary

Citations in the Category Construction & Buildings

Building, zoning, planning, contractors, blueprints, construction, development, demolition, renovation, rooms, hallways, etc. You can also see entries assigned to this category.

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arctic shell n. Although there are no strict definitions, “cold shells” are generally facilities where tenants may have to install bathrooms, elevators and air conditioning. But that’s not as bad as an “arctic shell,” which doesn’t have much more than a roof and exterior walls. A “warm shell” at least has bathrooms and elevators. “Tropical shells” offer amenities beyond that. [English Construction & Buildings Houses & Housing Slang] [full cite] (Jul. 16, 2007)

baleboard n. A New Hamburg company, Think Plastics, is leading the way in turning used bale wrap and other plastics such as greenhouse covering into high-quality, durable lumber that can be used for such things as fencing, decks and landscaping. Baleboard, as it’s called, cleans easily, won’t rot, splinter or crack and can be nailed, screwed and painted like wood. It’s also resistant to ultraviolet rays. [English Construction & Buildings] [full cite] (Apr. 16, 2007)

balloon construction n. It took 40 minutes to chase down all the hot spots as the fire traveled through walls that had no fire breaks, Kaplan said. He said the house was built with a method called “balloon construction” in which there is only open space between the walls, allowing the fire to spread easily. [English Construction & Buildings Houses & Housing] [full cite] (Aug. 25, 2007)

balloon-frame n. These dwellings are called balloon frames because of the light feel and voluminous space created by the vertical studs that run from the ground to the roof line. A balloon-frame house is one in which the exterior timber frame constitutes the main structural component of the house. These barn-like buildings often were constructed in just days. Yet many of them still endure more than 120 years later. [English Construction & Buildings Houses & Housing] [full cite] (Jul. 27, 2007)

bash and build n. Financially speaking, there are far worse fates for a homeowner than to be the neighbor of a “bash and build.” Love them or hate them, teardowns generally bolster the resale prices of their neighbors. [English-based Creole Construction & Buildings Houses & Housing Jargon] [full cite] (Dec. 20, 2007)

biscuit n. He’s taking it down with a 9,000 pound iron ball, or, as he calls it, a biscuit. “Why do you call it a biscuit?” asked NewsChannel 11. “Well, ’cause it’s flat like a biscuit. You know how a muffin is made? Used to have a little lip going all the way around it, looks just like one and they just called it a biscuit.” [English Construction & Buildings] [full cite] (May. 23, 2004)

book n. Matters improved still more. Mr. Legree moved to a job at Public School 150, just across the street from his apartment at Brownsville Houses. It was at that job that he received his “book”—became a member of a laborers’ union. [English Construction & Buildings Employment Slang] [full cite] (Feb. 4, 2007)

box with docks n. For years, industry slang for a convention center was “a box with docks.” It was blunt but apt shorthand. In recent years, though, convention center managers have been learning the lesson that hotel companies have already discovered: it is not enough to offer just a place to stay or meet. [English Architecture Construction & Buildings Slang] [full cite] (Aug. 28, 2007)

brownfield n. The legislation offers incentives for the public and private redevelopment of former industrial sites (some are contaminated—also known as brownfields) into new housing and economic development opportunities. [English Construction & Buildings Environment Urban Planning & Zoning] [full cite] (May. 7, 2004)

brownfield n. Known as brownfields, these areas are defined by the USEPA as “abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.” [English Construction & Buildings Environment Urban Planning & Zoning] [full cite] (May. 7, 2004)

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