[QUOTE=xilman;407623][URL="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=merkin"]Merkin[/URL]: an inhabitant of Merica[/QUOTE]

Also the first name of the President in [i]Dr. Strangelove[/i]. He was bald on top, so maybe a reference to where he actually wore his toupee?

A curious invention, the merkin - most folks concerned about that patch of hair have more than they want, not less. Perhaps a form of intimate disguise? 'Would you like a pair of wraparound sunglasses with that, sir?' (I politely decline the latter when offered, since a sun-monocle seems more apt. But I can never get the dang thing to stay put.)

[QUOTE=only_human;407636]I'm a confused by "Ms" title but her mother-in-law, [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Bush"]Barbara Bush[/URL], is on the one dollar bill, and you can't get more Merkin than that.[/QUOTE]

Babs is one of the most revolting persons of which I am aware. I guess that fits in with bein' aMerkin, at least for Daughters of the Revolution.

[QUOTE=ewmayer;407653]A curious invention, the merkin - most folks concerned about that patch of hair have more than they want, not less.[/QUOTE]Consider the sporran.

[QUOTE=xilman;407664]Consider the sporran.[/QUOTE]

See, that fashion accessory actually makes pretty good sense to me, aside from the implied question 'was the notion of building a pouch or pockets into the kilt *really* considered so gauche that y'all resorted to a Highland man-purse in its stead?' I suspect though that the fanciness of the high-end sporran in conveying status makes it preferable in being both practical "and...", a dual aspect the humble pocket or generic utility pouch lacks.

As to the practicality, one can make good use of it to keep one's money or other valuables, perhaps a small flask for the occasional wee dram - speaking of valuables, I suppose one could even place the family jewels in it in the event of a sudden-onset cold-weather exigency, although one would need to tuck the business end of the sporran under one's kilt in such cases, and perhaps put up with the curious glances of passersby resulting from the jangling noises of any coins one is carrying. Speaking of jingling and jangling 'down there':

[i]There once was a man of Madras,
Whose balls were made of pure brass.
When jangled together
They played 'Stormy Weather'
And lighting shot out of his ass.[/i]

BTW, the full name of the US President in [i]Dr. Strangelove[/i] was Merkin Muffley. :)

=======================

And by way of new material - I admit this one is rather computational-number-theoretically geeky:

[b]Dryadic multiplication:[/b] A population explosion among forest nymphs.

[url]http://www.theverge.com/a/new-devils-dictionary[/url]

[QUOTE=chappy;407715][url]http://www.theverge.com/a/new-devils-dictionary[/url][/QUOTE]
Excellent

[QUOTE=xilman;407664]Consider the sporran.[/QUOTE]
Entirely unrelated:
[URL="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2015/aug/11/shade-balls-reservoir-la-water-conservation-drought-california"]Shade balls fill reservoir to conserve water in drought-hit LA – in pictures[/URL]

[QUOTE=only_human;407737]Entirely unrelated:
[URL="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2015/aug/11/shade-balls-reservoir-la-water-conservation-drought-california"]Shade balls fill reservoir to conserve water in drought-hit LA – in pictures[/URL][/QUOTE]
Good!

[QUOTE=ewmayer;407714]See, that fashion accessory actually makes pretty good sense to me[/QUOTE]I'm guessing that you recognized the analogy between a merkin, a sporran, a codpiece, a penis-gourd, [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsies"]falsies[/URL], bosom pads, [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_history_of_the_buttocks"]human female buttocks[/URL] and peacock tails. All make very good sense from a Darwinian perspective.

[QUOTE=xilman;407752]I'm guessing that you recognized the analogy between a merkin, a sporran, a codpiece, a penis-gourd, [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsies"]falsies[/URL], bosom pads, [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_history_of_the_buttocks"]human female buttocks[/URL] and peacock tails. All make very good sense from a Darwinian perspective.[/QUOTE]
The use of some of these (the male sort at least) in the Heavy Metal scene was beautifully parodied in the film [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Spinal_Tap"]Spinal Tap[/URL]. In one scene which was sadly cut from the final edit, but is available to watch on the DVD, we see one of the musicians in consultation with someone from the props department, prior to a performance. The exact final shape of a courgette, to be wrapped in aluminium foil, is under discussion. The scene where this gives problems at an airport security check was fortunately retained for the film's final cut.

[QUOTE=Brian-E;407763]courgette[/QUOTE]
That is how I learned another name for zucchini, hehe...