My understanding of the term "blockbuster," in terms of movies and other forms of entertainment, is that it means that movie, show, exhibit, etc. was extremely popular, so much so that the lines for the performance, entrance, etc., wrapped around the block (or "busted" the block).
Angela Putney, Ph.D.
Physics Management Fellow
American Institute of Physics
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>>> Martin Taureg <[log in to unmask]> 01/08 4:22 PM >>>
At 11:38 08.01.1999 EST, David Haberstich wrote:
> I just LOVE it whenever people ask listmembers to define words. It
>often represents an exercise in futility which nevertheless can be very
>amusing. This particular request has more legitimacy than most, since
>"blockbuster," in the sense of major events, is not yet in some of the
>dictionaries to which we have ready access (has anyone tried looking up
>the word in a recently published dictionary in their local Borders or
>what have you?).
Reaching to the left of my desk, I grab the _Concise Oxford Dictionary of
Current English_, 9th ed., Oxford, 1995, and read:
"blockbuster n. slang
(1) something of great power or size, esp. an epic film or a best-selling
book.
(2) a huge aerial bomb capable of destroying a whole block of buildings."
>My Webster's has only two meanings, viz.: (1) a huge
>bomb, and (2) someone who scares homeowners into selling by suggesting
>that minorities are moving into the neighborhood.
1:0 for Oxford vs. Webster's ... (I ain't British, BTW) ;-))
Wishing all of you on MUSEUM-L blockbusting success in 1999,
Martin
--
Martin Taureg
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