I can't believe he has never met anyone who remember the George Burns and Gracie Allen television show (pg. 178). I believe I forced MY kids to watch it, I loved it so much!
...world's only atomic toilets (pg. 20) -- Actually, it utilized an ultraviolet sterilizer. Seems like a good idea to me!
negus (pg. 151, A Christmas Carol In Prose) -- A beverage of wine, hot water, lemon juice, sugar, and nutmeg.
hansel (pg. 267, The conciliator Of Christendom) -- A first installment : earnest money
palliation (pg. 261, Christmas Eve On Lonesome) -- To make (an offense or crime) seem less serious; extenuate.
Cantat vacuus (pg. 304, Shakespeare's Christmas) -- Probably refers to the saying vacuus cantat coram latrone viator. The traveller with an empty purse sings in the presence of the highwayman.
Urbem quam dicunt Romam (pg. 306, Shakespeare's Christmas) -- The city which they call Rome.
precisian (pg. 309, Shakespeare's Christmas) -- One who is strict and precise in adherence to established rules, forms, or standards, especially with regard to religious observance or moral behavior.
nipcheese (pg. 310, Shakespeare's Christmas) -- A person of cheese-paring habits; a skinflint; a niggardly person.
Cecidit, cecidit Babylon illa magna! (pg. 311, Shakespeare's Christmas) -- Fallen, fallen, is Babylon, that great city.
paradigmatically (pg. 3) -- An outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype.
auto-da-fé (pg. 4) -- Burning at the stake, in popular imagination.
logorrheic (pg. 46) -- Of, pertaining to, or exhibiting logorrhea, the excessive flow of words.
benisons (pg. 67) -- A blessing; a benediction.
internecine (pg. 79) -- Of or relating to struggle within a nation, organization, or group.
8th Admendment (pg. 100) -- The right to be free from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
certiorari (pg. 113) -- An original writ or action whereby a cause is removed from an inferior to a superior court for review.
maisonette (pg. 180) -- a self-contained apartment (usually on two floors) in a larger house and with its own entrance from the outside. A townhouse?
quondam odium (pg. 184) -- Previous dislike?
infra dignitatem (pg. 245) -- Below ones dignity.
Stare Decisis (pg. 207) -- Let the decision stand. Funny name for an Italian restaurant!
dolor (pg. 211) -- Sorrow; grief.
anodyne (pg. 276) -- Not likely to offend or arouse tensions
dolorous (pg. 221) -- Marked by or exhibiting sorrow, grief, or pain.
Industry is the enemy of melancholy. (pg. 223) Attributed to William F. Buckley Jr.
Didn't they teach you this in Boy Scouts? Or were you getting your merit badge in library science or some wimpy thing? (pg. 192) Pepper to the Chief Justice, on making him a better hangman's knot.