Quelle horreur!
He is “rather dangerous,” declared The Economist, which observed that he “genuinely believes in the need to create a fairer society.” Quelle horreur!
Paul Krugman, Those Revolting Europeans
Coup de main
It seems self-evident to me that an Israeli coup de main against Iranian nuclear facilities would be unlikely to have any effect that is positive for Israel or negative for Iran.
Tim Bray, No Iran War Please
Clientele
After his boss retired, Martin inherited an expensive bug sweeper and connections to a lucratively paranoid clientele, many of whom became his first clients in his current gig.
The Mercenary Techie Who Troubleshoots for Drug Dealers and Jealous Lovers, Adrian Chen
De rigueur
I have no idea whether this company’s technology is the real deal, but it’s inevitable that sooner or later waterproofing will become de rigueur.
John Gruber, Daring Fireball Linked List: Waterproof Smartphone Technology
Menagerie
With apologies to the incredible menagerie of design folk out there, this primer primarily focuses on the design denizens and design practices that surround software development.
Bon mot
He even looks the part of the rebellious grad student, with hair that falls to the base of his neck, ebullient sideburns that almost reach to his goatee, and a lazy eye that twinkles with every bon mot.
The Curse of Cow Clicker: How a Cheeky Satire Became a Videogame Hit, Jason Tanz
Adieu
Stick a fast-focusing lens on that camera and you can bid adieu to shutter lag.
Everything you need to know about buying a camera, Vlad Savov
Entrée
Seeking the fast life, he had bought a three-bedroom apartment in central Stockholm, a cherry-red Ferrari Modena and entrée to the city’s hottest clubs.
Spotify’s Daniel Ek: The Most Important Man In Music, Steven Bertoni
Maladroit
It’s not that they are bad; on the contrary. They are mostly maladroit.
Glenn Fleishman, Font swap in iBooks
Bête noire
It is the BBFC’s fate, however, to be an ever-present bete noire for both sides of the political spectrum.
Andrew Pulver, On the cutting room floor: a century of film censorship
Fait accompli
So no, there’s no Facebook Phone. Until a year from now when there is one. Consider it fait accompli.
MG Siegler, Facebook Not Building A Phone*
Dossier
We have a name for the kind of person who collects a detailed, permanent dossier on everyone they interact with, with the intent of using it to manipulate others for personal advantage - we call that person a sociopath.
Maciej Ceglowski, The Social Graph is Neither
Raison d’être
Jobs has succeeded by eschewing the one thing that most people view as the raison d’être for companies — profit.
Clayton Christensen and James Allworth, Jobs made Apple great by ignoring profit
Grandeur
As children we sleep beneath the images of movie, TV, music and sports stars and dream about the mystery and grandeur of their lives.
