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I
have read hundreds of novels but to this day, I always read certain
terms of which I am not sure of the definition- no matter how clean
or simple the prose.
For this reason, I am going to discuss a few
terms below you might not be familiar with and well, give you a
little insight into their meanings for future reference.
I hope this
knowledge enhances your reading pleasure.
Horn-Rimmed
Glasses
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Apparently
this style of glasses were originally made out of actual horn or
tortoise shell. However they have since over the years been
constructed of plastic in an attempt to copy those materials. They
tend to give the wearer's face a bolder appearance in contrast with
metal frames which appear less pronounced.
The
style has been popular throughout different periods of the twentieth
century, including the early years as well as the 1940s-1960s. They
have made a resurgence since the late twentieth century and early
part of the twenty-first which may be due in part to the popular TV
series Mad Men as well as appealing to hipster subculture.
So
the next time you read “horn-rimmed glasses” I guess you can
assume the wearer is rather hip perhaps or could be some big
corporate executive.
Fish-eye
While a fish-eye
refers to a particular type of lens that offers a panoramic view for
uses in camera lenses, the lens is often used to indicate a peep hole
in a door.
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When I first saw the
term used in the peephole context, I had a good idea what it meant,
but well, I still felt a need to look it up.
So when a character
is said to go to the door to look through the fish-eye, it's a modern
word for peep hole.
Go check your fish-eye.
You might have company.
Credenza
In modern times,
this term refers to a sideboard in a home or office.
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I can't count how
many times I have read this term in several crime thrillers when
describing some corporate executive or big time attorney's office
furniture. It pretty much means a sideboard for their office.
The next time you
read about a hot shot with an office on the fortieth floor, a bear
skin rug and a credenza, you'll know the author means a sideboard.
Burner
Now this one can get
interesting. From what I have read, the term sometimes refers to a
handgun or a gun used to commit a murder.
It can also mean a
pot head. I guess the idea is that he has smoked so much he has
“burned” himself out.
It can also mean a
person engaged in the act of burning property.
However, for the
most part I have seen it used to mean one thing- a pre-paid,
disposable cell phone.
In the modern world
of crime, pay phones just don't cut it anymore. There are few of
them and well, they can most likely be tracked when you get down to
it. However pre-paid cell phones generally cannot be tracked which
is why most criminals use them. You can't always discuss criminal
activity the best way- face-to-face.
So the next time a
scumbag or a guy who just needs to talk business where no one can
listen, he might use a burner and you'll know what that is.
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Shiv
This term refers to
a knife or blade but it is typically a home-made version, often made
out of plastic.
Not nearly as scary as, well, THIS!
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These are very
common in prisons where regular knives are hard to come by.
So the next time a
character has a shiv on their person, you can expect bad intentions
and a heated action scene are on the way.
Well, there you go.
I hope this clears up a few terms you might come across when taking
in crime novels. I have seen all five of these used numerous times
and understanding them definitely increases understanding of the
story.
Have a great day and keep reading!
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