wax, strapping on flippers, straphanger , epaulet

For Voice of Straphangers, a Journey Without Stops

By CLYDE HABERMAN

Gene Russianoff, the public face of the Straphangers Campaign, understands that not everyone in Albany or City Hall or at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority considers him all that adorable.

wax (wax)

verb intr.
To increase, to grow, or to become.

Etymology
From Old English weaxan. Ultimately from the Indo-European root aug- (increase) which is also the source of auction, authorize, inaugurate, augment, august, auxiliary, and nickname ("a nickname" is a splitting of the earlier "an ekename", literally, an additional name)

Usage
"The stars are out as we stand on Seven Mile Beach strapping on flippers while Adrian waxes enthusiastic." — Carol Perehudoff; It's a Dogfish-eat-dogfish World at the bottom of the Sea; Toronto Star (Canada); Feb 16, 2008.

 epaulet


ep·au·let ep·au·lette (ĕp'ə-lĕt', ĕp'ə-lĕt')
also〔épəlèt〕
n.
A shoulder ornament, especially a fringed strap worn on military uniforms.

[French épaulette, diminutive of épaule, shoulder, from Old French espaule, from Late Latin spatula, shoulder blade. See espalier.]

━━ n. 将校の肩章.

strap
n.

1. 1. A long narrow strip of pliant material such as leather.
   2. Such a strip equipped with a buckle or similar fastener for binding or securing objects.
2. A thin flat metal or plastic band used for fastening or clamping objects together or into position.
3. A narrow band formed into a loop for grasping with the hand.
4. A razor strop.
5. A strip of leather used in flogging.

tr.v., strapped, strap·ping, straps.

1. To fasten or secure with a strap.
2. To beat with a strap.
3. To sharpen (a razor, for example).

[Alteration of STROP.]

strappy strap'py adj.

straphanger

Pronunciation: /ˈstraphaŋgə/

noun

informal

• a standing passenger in a bus or train: the straphangers were swaying unsteadily
• chiefly US a person who commutes to work by public transport: single straphangers on their way to work

Derivatives

strap-hang

verb