A boy is about to go on his first date, and is nervous about what to talk about. He asks his father for advice.
The father replies, "My son, there are three subjects that always work. These are food, family, and philosophy."
The boy picks up his date and they go to a soda fountain. Ice cream sodas in front of them, they stare at each other for a long time, as the boy"s nervousness builds.
He remembers his father"s advice, and chooses the first topic.
He asks the girl, "Do you like spinach?"
She says "No," and the silence returns.
After a few more uncomfortable minutes, the boy thinks of his father"s suggestion and turns to the second item on the list. He asks, "Do you have a brother?" Again, the girl says "No" and there is silence once again.
The boy then plays his last card. He thinks of his father"s advice and asks the girl the following question: "If you had a brother, would he like spinach?"
v. (-ting) pacify; conciliate. placatory adj. [latin placo appease]
PLACEBO
n. (pl. -s) 1 medicine with no physiological effect prescribed for psychological reasons.
- dummy pill etc. Used in a controlled trial. [latin, = i shall be acceptable]
PLACKET
n. - opening or slit in a garment, for fastenings or access to a pocket.
- flap of fabric under this. [var. Of *placard]
PLANNER
n. - person who plans new towns etc.
- person who makes plans.
- list, table, etc., with information helpful in planning.
PLANTER
n. - manager or owner of a plantation.
- container for house-plants.
PLASTER
cast n. - bandage stiffened with plaster of paris and applied to a broken limb etc.
- statue or mould made of plaster.
- of paris n. Fine white gypsum plaster for plaster casts etc.
- —n. - soft mixture of lime, sand, and water etc. Applied to walls, ceilings, etc., to dry into a smooth hard surface.
- = *sticking-plaster.
- = *plaster of paris. —v. - cover (a wall etc.) With plaster.
- coat, daub, cover thickly.
- stick or apply (a thing) thickly like plaster.
- (often foll. By down) smooth (esp. Hair) with water etc.
- (as plastered adj.) Slang drunk. plasterer n. [greek emplastron]
PLASTIC
arts n.pl. Arts involving modelling or the representation of solid objects.
- bomb n. Bomb containing plastic explosive.
- explosive n. Putty-like explosive.
- surgery n. Reconstruction or repair of damaged or unsightly skin, muscle, etc., esp. By the transfer of tissue. plastic surgeon n.
- —n. - synthetic resinous substance that can be given any shape.
- (in full plastic money) colloq. Credit card(s). —adj. - made of plastic.
- capable of being moulded; pliant, supple.
- giving form to clay, wax, etc. plasticity n. Plasticize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing). Plasticizer n. (also -iser). Plasticky adj. [greek: related to *plasma]
PLATEAU
—n. (pl. -x or -s) 1 area of fairly level high ground.
- state of little variation after an increase. —v. (plateauing, plateaus, plateaued) (often foll. By out) reach a level or static state after an increase. [french: related to *plate]
PLATOON
n. - subdivision of a military company.
- group of persons acting together. [french peloton diminutive of pelote *pellet]
PLATTER
n. Large flat dish or plate. [anglo-french plater: related to *plate]
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