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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

Third World briefcase en · NOUN

Etymology

So called from the size and shape (with carrying handle) and their stereotypical popularity among poor black youth.

Meanings

  1. (humorous, offensive, slang) A portable ghetto blaster.
    • "Do you have a cassette tape player?" "I've got a Third World briefcase," Katie said to Agnes, and then turned scarlet, thinking the black officer would take offense. 1991, Ralph McInerny, Judas Priest, page 122:
    • Be a bum in this part of town, he knew, keep rhythm with your fingers, sport a Walkman or a third-world briefcase—people might shrug, but they would never remember your face. 1987, Thomas Caplan, Parallelogram, page 121:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
Third World briefcases Number=Plur lexicographic