The okapi is a mammal belonging to the giraffe family. Also known as ‘forest giraffe’, it is native to the Ituri rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. The okapi lives a secluded life and was not discovered until 1900 by explorer Sir Harry Johnson. It is shorter than the giraffe and has stripes on the legs, reminiscent of …

Apparently biologists are still trying to figure out the cause of the massive bird deaths on New Year’s eve, along with the unusual deaths of other wildlife species, but are ruling out any biblical or environmental issues (so then what is the real cause people). The term being applied to this strange event now is an “Aflockalypse”. Other weird deaths …

A tick tock is used with reference to a news event about which events are recounted in chronological order. The term is used as a metaphor, indicating the ticking of a clock towards the unfolding of an event. The events are explained with boldface dates.

Red herring is an idiomatic expression referring to the rhetorical or literary tactic of diverting attention away from an item of significance. For example, in mystery fiction, where the identity of a criminal is being sought, an innocent party may be purposefully cast in a guilty light by the author through the employment of false emphasis, deceptive clues, ‘loaded’ words …

This term came to be used during the peak of the recession period, during Christmas season, when the world was shrouded with the economic downturn. It refers to women who went on a ‘spending binge’ despite the fact that they couldn’t afford it and more so when their ‘purse’ was already dented. The splurging during recession earned them the name …

The Parthian shot was a military tactic made famous by the Parthians, ancient Iranian people. The Parthian archers, mounted on light horse, would feign retreat; then, while at a full gallop, turn their bodies back to shoot at the pursuing enemy. The maneuver required superb equestrian skills, since the rider’s hands were occupied by his bow. As the stirrup had …

Nuclear umbrella refers to a guarantee by a nuclear-weapon state to defend a non-nuclear allied state. It is usually used for the security alliances of the United States with Japan, South Korea, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Australia, originating with the Cold War with the Soviet Union. For some countries, it was an alternative to acquiring nuclear weapons themselves.

NEET is a British term used for a young person who is not engaged by way of any work, academics, or training programme. It’s an acronym derived from the phrase ‘Not in Employment, Education or Training’, a government classification often used to refer to the stage that teenagers or young adults go through when they have nothing to do. However, …

A map legend is a guide to all the symbols used on a map. It helps a person read a map correctly. Both shapes and colours can be used for symbols on a map. Stated simply, a map legend is a sort of dictionary so that you can understand what the map represents. Vegetation, topographic features, surface features etc are …

A kangaroo court describes sham judicial proceedings which are conducted without giving the rights of defence to the accused by invoking the expediency clause. In this process, prosecution cases are taken up without witnesses and cross-examination. As the trial proceeds by leaps like a kangaroo, it is known as kangaroo court. It may also mean punishing players in sports with …