Word of the Day: Grease

grease

grease / grēs (as a noun) and grēs or grēz (as a verb)

noun

1. a soft or melted animal fat

Many Texas barbecue fanatics have a strong belief in the beneficial properties of accumulated grease.

Calvin Trillin, 1935 –

2. any thick, oily matter, particularly that used as a lubricant

I hate to be a kicker, I always long for peace,

But the wheel that does the squeaking, is the one that gets the grease.

Josh Billings, 1818 – 1885

3. uncleaned, shorn wool or the oily substance thereon

Wool grease is chemically not a fat but a wax, and once removed from the fleece and cleaned up is lanolin which has been used from Roman times to the present for cosmetics, protecting weapons and tools from rust.

“Sheep wool grease and iron – a natural combination?”, www.theironbloke.com/post/sheep-wool-grease-and-iron-a-natural-combination, February 20, 2019

4. (slang) a bribe

It had been suspected that the owner had paid grease money to city and fire safety inspectors to have their permits approved.

Gilbert P. Felongco, “Criminal charges against Valenzuela City mayor, eight others over factory fire that killed 74”, ‘Gulf News’, www.gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/criminal-charges-against-valenzuela-city-mayor-eight-others-over-factory-fire-that-killed-74-1.1690927, March 15, 2016

verb

1. to apply soft animal fat or another oily substance to something

You need not grease a fat sow.

American Proverb

2. to lubricate or make slippery with oils

A wheel not greased will creak.

Latin Proverb

3. to cause an easy path or outcome; to aid progress; to facilitate

Very little speeds and greases your way to Hell, like animal cruelty.

Russell Boyd, 1944 –

4. (slang) to kill

I’m not sad that he got greased.

Tweet from Mike Glenn, January 2, 2020, www.twitter.com/mrglenn/status/1212926095928020993?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1212926095928020993|twgr^220d0d5b03c601211f734afd79681cecc73fde67|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fnot-sad-that-he-got-greased-army-veteran-celebrates-killing-of-soleimani

5. (slang) to bribe

The most genuine and efficacious charity is that which greases the paws of the priests; such charity covers a multitude of sins.

Voltaire, 1694 – 1778