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Washminster n. The term “Washminster,” coined in 1980 to suggest Australia is somehow a hybrid of the Westminster and Washington systems, misses the point. Australia started off as a child of mixed parentage, and like all children grew up and developed its own personality, developing a distinctively Australian approach to government that differs from that of either parent. Still, we maintain close ties with the US, and there are continuing influences from their system on our own public service. [English Australia Politics] [full cite] (Jul. 6, 2006)

wasichu n. “What are you wasichus doing here,” shouted Eli Bald Eagle, using a derogatory term for white people, as he approached on diabetes-swollen legs, bracing himself with a cane. [Native American Derogatory] [full cite] (Mar. 10, 2009)

wasm n. “Isms” have long since become “wasms,” no longer capable of explaining the rapidly changing ideas and intentions of 20th-century art. Stephen Little’s Isms: Understanding Art… is, therefore, deeply unfashionable. It also stretches a point since he begins with the Renaissance, and sustains several injuries by straining to find “isms” everwhere. Ghastly neologisms result, perspectivisim and allegoricism among them. [English Arts & Literature] [full cite] (Nov. 28, 2004)

WASP n. In a recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers questioned the necessity of prescribing antibiotics for children with earaches. This goes against the long-thought grain of using antibiotics for treatment and instead examines a process known as “wait-and-see prescribing” (WASP). Doctors, in the United Kingdom and many other European countries, that practice WASP write a prescription but advise parents not to fill it unless the child fails to improve, or gets worse 48 hours after the appointment. [English Medical Acronym] [full cite] (Sep. 26, 2006)

wasta n. The vernacular has even followed the Army home: In the halls of the Pentagon, where nearly every Army officer has served at least two tours in Iraq, officers ask whether this or that official has “wasta”—Iraqi shorthand for “influence” or “pull,” though with a slightly more corrupt tinge. [Iraq] [full cite] (Dec. 28, 2007)

waste-face n. Dubbing it a “true lounge,” Head says Soho 7 is for the crowd that has matured past the waste-face Water Street scene and is looking for a nicer space to sip a drink. [English Slang] [full cite] (Jan. 24, 2008)

waste-to-watts attrib. Ameresco Incorporated has reached an agreement with the Delaware Solid Waste Authority for what’s called a “waste-to-watts” project. The company will capture methane from landfills in western Kent County and central Sussex County and use the gas to fire generators. [English Environment] [full cite] (Nov. 21, 2006)

wastebasket diagnosis n. They think of fibromyalgia as a label given to patients with many painful physical complaints, but normal test results. This is commonly called a “wastebasket diagnosis” used when all the clearly definable diseases have been tested for and eliminated as possibilities. [English Medical] [full cite] (Jan. 24, 2008)

wasteman n. Varley, who has toured with Kano and G-Unit, has as much chance as any of them. She’s feisty as hell, dissing “wastemen” (vernacular for playa). [English United Kingdom Slang] [full cite] (Oct. 9, 2008)

watch floor n. The main working area of the TSCC is the watch floor. The 10,000-square-foot room is equipped with an elaborate briefing and display system. Large plasma screens fill one side of the room, which is known as the “knowledge wall.” [English Military Jargon] [full cite] (Mar. 5, 2006)

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