last link on the left

640K

Refers to a 1981 quote supposedly attributed to Microsoft's Bill Gates, disputed here and here. Originally found here.

Airchecks

In the radio industry, these are generally demo tapes, often intended to show off the announcer's talents to prospective future employers, etc. As such, they generally don't contain any music, and few jingles. Potential employers do not want to hear music, they want to hear what the announcer sounds like. Originally found here.

Cliche #1

"He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches" -- George Bernard Shaw, 1903. Originally found here.

Compound

Make things worse. Originally found here.

Dose

Back in Grade Six, the Last Link heard the following phrase: "Don't let her touch you -- she'll give you the dose." A quick visit to the local library led us to determine that dose was slang for VD - veneral disease - the clap -- and Al Capone died from it. So, you have to ask yourself, why are they calling something you can pick on the street for free -- the Dose? Originally found here.

Four Thousand Holes

This refers to the Beatles' song "A Day In The Life."

I read the news today oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all

Originally found here.

Is It Live or Is It Memorex?

Memorex was a manufacturer of blank recording tape who had a memorable advertising campaign built around the catchphrase "Is it live or is it Memorex?" that defied listeners to tell the difference. Originally found here.

Marcel Marceau

Famous French mime artist who spoke the only line in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie." Originally found here.

The Near-dead Chuck Chandler

A few years ago, CHED crime reporter Byron Christopher was filling in as morning newsreader on CHQT Cool 880. It was at about 6:30 in the morning when Chuck Chandler said something like "Byron Christopher will be reading news this week ... and did you know that Byron talks to the dead?"

In addition to his unique reporting style, Christopher's psychic abilities have earned him a very quiet reputation for seeing what others can't. Not wanting to explain his paranormal skills to an early morning audience, Christopher shot back at Chandler with, "You bet. And the proof is that I'm talking to YOU." Originally found here.

Scott McNealy

Scott McNealy is Chairman and CEO of Sun Microsystems (and does not send Christmas cards to Bill Gates). Originally found here.

Palpatine, Mace Windu and "He's my father AND my son!"

Palpatine is Senator/Chancellor of the Republic. He's also Darth Sidious -- the person who turned Anakin Skywalker to the dark side of the Force to become Darth Vader. Mace was the name of a incapacitating spray used by law enforcement before the arrival of more humane methods such as pepper spray and the taser, and Windu references a popular computer product made in Redmond, Washington. Together they make a repelling operating system. Lastly, in the 1974 movie Chinatown, private detective Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) questions Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) about the identity of a girl at the centre of his investigation. Gittes learns the incestuous nature of his client when Mulwray responds "She's my sister AND my daughter!" Originally found here.

Plucking An Audience Member

On November 20th, 1973, The Who was playing the Cow Palace in San Francisco when drummer Keith Moon collpased onstage, the result of consuming a large tranquiliser pill meant to be shot at animals along with a large volume of brandy. Undaunted, guitarist Pete Townshend asked the crowd, "Can anybody play the drums?"

19-year-old Scott Halpin was in the audience with a friend, both having bought scalped tickets. They began noisily telling security staff, "He can play!" The commotion attracted the concert's promoter, Bill Graham, and Scott soon found himself behind Moon's kit playing with his heroes. Halpin credited the band's stamina, admitting "I only played three numbers and I was dead." Originally found here.

Scream

Refers to the tagline from the 1979 Ridley Scott-directed movie Alien. Originally found here.

Stick

Radio slang for a transmitter tower. Originally found here.

We're On A Mission From God

Tagline from the 1980 John Belushi-Dan Aykroyd movie The Blues Brothers. Originally found here.

Xaviera Hollander

Xaviera Hollander's appearance at Edmonton's Londonderry Mall drew such a number that fire officials closed the shopping centre, fearing structural safety of the building. Originally found here.

huh?

what you have to know is ...