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Eh, according to the NOAA, Colorado had one of the colder Februaries on record. Not the top 20, but in the top 30ish out of 125

Not what your weatherman means if he says says "record cold for February," now is it?

Skyjacking is a specific term that came into use in the 1960s to describe the rash of airplane hijackings that occurred in the late 60s and 70s. I count 20 skyjackings that involved the United States in just the decade of 1970. It is a specific type of hijacking that involves airplanes, and which typically takes place while the plane is in the sky during flight. Thus the plane is redirected to some other destination because the risk of the threat being real must be taken seriously.

I presume you are in your 20s to have not encountered this word, which is defined in pretty much every English dictionary there is. If you prefer "A hijacking that occurs on an airplane while the plane is in flight" over "skyjacking" then feel free to use the longer phrase in your writings and conversation. However your lack of exposure to this word hardly makes it "tabloid-headline made-up".

To totally beat this point to death, here are some various dictionary entries.
https://www.merriam-webster.co...
https://dictionary.cambridge.o...
https://en.oxforddictionaries....
https://www.dictionary.com/bro...
https://www.thefreedictionary....
https://www.macmillandictionar...

I also note that the Chome spellchecker knows this word by default as well.

The writer of TFA is a hack.

Maybe it's just me indeed. But, for me:
"cutting the cord" != having your provider setup new gateways

Yes and no...

to end your connection with someone, OR to stop depending on their support

http://www.macmillandictionary...

Synonyms include: "finish with" a relationship, which may or may not include all components of the relationship. So there would be several possibilities including Microsoft setting up a giant wind farm or tons of solar on their Redmond campus, or simply (as is the case) not buying energy from the local utility while still using the infrastructure.

But this raises a question: The huge one time payment not withstanding, it seems to me that even though they will purchase their energy from some other source, they still use the utility's wires, so there should be some continuing expense for the use of that infrastructure, shouldn't there be? I haven't read anything about that.

But can't means he couldn't even if he wanted to.

That's one meaning. The other meanings include "should not happen" (#5) and "not allowed to" (#3). It is possible he is saying that this should not happen, or that his personal ethical standards do not allow him to do it. He did not say he was legally prohibited from doing so.

You (and many others) are using the strictest definition of a common English word and inferring that it refers to a legal prohibition. For Barry to believe this, he would have to be stupid, and stupid is not an adjective that applies to that man. For him to say it in the strictest sense hoping his lie would be undetected would mean he is stupid, and stupid etc.

If you came to me and asked if you could borrow $100, I would tell you that I cannot do that. Not just that I would not do so, for I have $100 and could lend it to you should I choose to do so, but my better judgement tells me I cannot. That is one way of indicating a stronger feeling about the matter than just saying "will not". "Will not" implies a simple choice; "cannot" implies it is more than just a simple desire not to when used in a context where it is a choice. Like this one.

If it is his personal standards that say he cannot do it will be obvious when we see who he will be pardoning as his term comes to an end. If it is just that he doesn't think Snowden should be pardoned, that may be obvious, too.

Ahhh, I see you've used facts to rebut my biting comment that left your inner racist child whining.

Fine, here's a few other definitions:

"a group of people with various far-right and often racist opinions who are active especially online"
http://www.macmillandictionary...

"the "alt-right" — is considered to be a subset pushing for a "white ethno-state," as Republican strategist Rick Wilson"
http://www.businessinsider.com...

But please, if these aren't suitable to your tastes, find a definition - outside of alt-right sites - that says anything different.

They should send out an email to everyone advising them not to reply.... Oh and don't reply to this one either or we might be forced to send another in a similar vain.

Sending messages in a similar vein would be in vain.

Incorrect. I never once said or implied that punishment in general implies big government; we're talking specifically about the death penalty.

And if you think punishment is the ultimate big government, then you imply the argument against big government means no punishment. We can play these word games where you try to say something that appears to be one thing but is really something else all day long. Just don't get mad when I call out what it implies.

Nonsense. The argument? You speak as if there is only one group at work here. This comment shows that there are multiple groups at work here.

I don't think you will find any group that thinks the government on a federal or state level should not do what the constitution demands or limits them from doing and still have that argument construed as being against big government. It doesn't have to be one group, but you will be hard pressed to find a group with a deviation from how I explained it.

But really, why refer to it simply as "big government" (among other ambiguous terms) and then act surprised when people don't know exactly what is meant? When you say "big government," it makes it sound like you're talking about government in general, and that's exactly what group I'm talking about.

Big government is a term used by people who object to the government's approach on freedoms and deviation from constitutional roles. I mean lets look the term up and see what it is..

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/big+government
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/big-government
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/big-government
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/big-government

Those all with a few different wordings state the big government is a derogatory term used to describe an over reaching government outside it's constitutional roles. But Wikipedia has a more detailed description of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_government

the first paragraph on the page says "Big government (sometimes capitalized as Big Government) is a derogatory term generally used by political conservatives, laissez-faire advocates, or libertarians to describe a government or public sector that they consider to be excessively large, corrupt and inefficient, or inappropriately involved in certain areas of public policy or the private sector. The term may also be used specifically in relation to government policies that attempt to regulate matters considered to be private or personal, such as private sexual behavior or individual food choices. The term has also been used to define a dominant federal government that seeks to control the authority of local institutions - an example being the overriding of state authority in favor of federal legislation."

The reality of it is when the term is used, it is assumed those who hear it either understand the meaning or have the wherewithal to open a dictionary or do a Google search or at minimum ask someone to explain it to them. Perhaps it is a fault of those who use it in that we automatically assume the people on the other end already understand the concept. The term is not just two words Big and Government put together, but one phrase with two words that mean a specific thing or subject of things.

No. You just weren't sure which group I was referring to.

No, I'm confident you were not referring to any group who uses the term big government and instead were combining the definition of

By whose definition? Note the example used there. Additionally like so many other terms, especially those with political relevance, this one has varied a little in meaning since Democrats borrowed it from the Communist party of the USSR, who probably also translated it from something else but at least in this case it came with the theory of moving others into compliance with pre-determined thought processes influenced, at least in theory, by choice of terms used in labeling others and events. A type of mind programming you might say. Now, what words do we use here people?

MacMillanDictionary

"1 - used for saying that a situation continues to exist up to and including a particular time, especially when this seems surprising"

i.e. Normally a heart torn from a body would imply the being dead and the heart not moving...

Ah, no, it is a general purpose word, used in print since at least 1865.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swoosh
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/swoosh
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/swoosh
http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-definition/swoosh
http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/swoosh

Not one of those dictionaries mentions Nike.

Actually, I am a Brit - and it is the standard English English use of the term I am defending.

Seriously?!? This makes it twice as disturbing as before. For your benefit I will copy my post from above just to make damn sure you see many examples of how wrong you can be:

I don't see what difference it makes having a qualifier attached to the word, as anyone with a basic grasp of conversational English will have heard the word state being used in this manner.

However, since you insist on an example, please see here
You'll probably complain about State Aid being a qualifier - but if you look further down you will see exactly the example you want, on a .Gov site from a State within the EU:

(I've emphasised the relevant parts just in case you are as daft as you seem)

Is the measure granted by the state or through state resources? As well as central government departments, this includes regional or local authorities and other public, or private sector, bodies designated or controlled by the state. State resources include tax exemptions and also funds not permanently belonging to the state but under state control, e.g. lottery funding.

There are a shit-load of examples of this use of the word 'state' all over that site and in everyday conversational English (UK English that is) that refer to 'the state'. Here's a few more:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/state

15. of or pertaining to the central civil government or authority.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state

5
a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereign
b : the political organization of such a body of people
6: the operations or concerns of the government of a country

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/state

2: a nation, or a country
3: the government of a country

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/state_1

[C or U] a country or its government
The drought is worst in the central African states.
Britain is one of the member states of the European Union.
The government was determined to reduce the number of state-owned industries.
Some theatres receive a small amount of funding from the state.
formal His diary included comments on affairs/matters of state (= information about government activities).

in state
If a king, queen or government leader does something in state, they do it in a formal way as part of an official ceremony
The Queen rode in state to the opening of Parliament.

This is too stupid and arrogant to actually be a troll right?

I don't see what difference it makes having a qualifier attached to the word, as anyone with a basic grasp of conversational English will have heard the word state being used in this manner.

However, since you insist on an example, please see here.

You'll probably complain about State Aid being a qualifier - but if you look further down you will see exactly the example you want, on a .Gov site from a State within the EU:

(I've emphasised the relevant parts just in case you are as daft as you seem)

Is the measure granted by the state or through state resources? As well as central government departments, this includes regional or local authorities and other public, or private sector, bodies designated or controlled by the state. State resources include tax exemptions and also funds not permanently belonging to the state but under state control, e.g. lottery funding.

There are a shit-load of examples of this use of the word 'state' all over that site and in everyday conversational English (UK English that is) that refer to 'the state'. Here's a few more:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/state

15. of or pertaining to the central civil government or authority.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state

5
a : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially : one that is sovereign
b : the political organization of such a body of people
6: the operations or concerns of the government of a country

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/state

2: a nation, or a country
3: the government of a country

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/state_1

[C or U] a country or its government
The drought is worst in the central African states.
Britain is one of the member states of the European Union.
The government was determined to reduce the number of state-owned industries.
Some theatres receive a small amount of funding from the state.
formal His diary included comments on affairs/matters of state (= information about government activities).

in state
If a king, queen or government leader does something in state, they do it in a formal way as part of an official ceremony
The Queen rode in state to the opening of Parliament.

I may be showing my age but when I was young antennae was more or less universal, I prefer the usage you stated, but it depends on whom you ask. The biological appendages are always antennae, but the electronic device may be either according to some sources: http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/antenna http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/antenna

In a few years we can count on it becoming "antenna's"

I've never understood the use of this phrase. For me "porn" only applies if there's sex (either with a partner or self).

So you get to define "porn"? At least one dictionary defines porn as "creative activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) of no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire". That was from Macmillan, Macmillan also defines soft porn, as "movies, magazines, photographs, etc. that show sexual images but not sexual acts".

Falcon

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a dictionary wherein "literally" is described to mean "metaphorically."

There are notes explaining the usage problem of using "literally" as an intensity modifier, but this is not considered correct usage.

Here even explicitly rejects using "literally" as "metaphorically."

Languages need not be regular to be useful, but a minimum degree of rigor is necessary for them to function (and hence exist). Languages exist to facilitate communication, which they can't do [well or maybe even at all] if words also properly mean opposite things. Definitions may be loose, but not that loose, otherwise no one could understand anyone else.

In the end, it's possible, but unlikely. Thus, citation please.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/socialism
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/socialism
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism
http://www.collinslanguage.com/results.aspx?context=3&reversed=False&action=define&homonym=-1&text=socialism
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861709575
http://www.yourdictionary.com/socialism
http://www.wordsmyth.net/?ent=socialism

All say that government owns the means of production. Aka government run.

Means nothing. If a resource is available in the US thats not or not timely available here, the system will pay for the patient to get care in the US. If someone wants to pay for a US service, then they are free to do that as well.

it means something if you die waiting. It means something if your town has lottery to determine who gets a family doctor. It means something if your life threatening illness is somehow classified as optional.

All of which are very real scenarios in canada.

And I've never stated that the US system was a good system. Well, it was 70 years ago or so. right now, the US lacks almost any market forces to get prices low.

I have a right to grow my own food if I like. I dont have to buy food if I dont want to. I can also pick up free food at the food bank if I wanted.

I can make clothes or get free clothes from charities. Water is free since it falls from the sky. Electricity is a commodity, not a right, but I can go off grid and make my own from wind or solar.

Which is my point. You don't have a right to those things. You don't have a right to other people's services.

You realize that eye surgery was perfected in communist Russia (almost no Russians wear glasses) and the biggest Lasik company is Canadian?

And that changes what? We get lots of things from outside the US.. the prices don't go down in other areas of healthcare.

My J reg Mercedes 190 is renown as a gas guzzler and gets 30mpg. If I were looking for a new car I wouldn't dream of looking at anything that got less than 35mpg. OK, so I know we have bigger gallons (20 fl oz vs 16 fl oz) but, from a UK perspective, 21mpg is only achieved by buying an SUV, and, if you want to buy a Chelsea tractor, pay the price.

The 21mpg you're complaining about would be 26.25mpg using 20oz gallons. Not far from your 30mpg. "Light duty vehicles" includes both 16mpg (20mpg) pickup trucks and 30mpg (37.5 mpg) passenger cars, so 21mpg as an average is not bad. Note that American cars normally have automatic transmissions. The same car with a manual transmission would give about 5mpg (6.25 mpg) better mileage.

P.S. I've never heard the term Chelsea tractor and had to look it up. You'd probably do well to avoid (or explain) UK slang on a US-centric website.

Here's my favorite word for all those wowsers and Grundys out there:

Comstockery noun [U]
excessive censorship of literature and pictures which are considered obscene or immoral ...
Background
The term Comstockery derives from one Anthony Comstock (1844-1915). In 1873 Comstock became secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. In the same year he went to Washington to lobby for stronger laws on obscenity, carrying a huge cloth bag full of publications and information on contraception and abortion. He was subsequently empowered to enforce a new law, the Comstock law, which prohibited publications 'of an indecent character' and the mailing of 'any article ... intended for the prevention of conception or the procuring of abortion'. The law enabled him to go to any post office and inspect mail he suspected might be obscene, and in his lifetime he oversaw the destruction of 160 tons of literature he considered immoral.

From http://www.macmillandictionary.com/essential/resou rces/new-comstockery-030210.htm