15-letter words containing r, u, f, i, s
- snafu principle — /sna'foo prin'si-pl/ [WWII Army acronym for "Situation Normal: All Fucked Up"] "True communication is possible only between equals, because inferiors are more consistently rewarded for telling their superiors pleasant lies than for telling the truth." - a central tenet of Discordianism, often invoked by hackers to explain why authoritarian hierarchies screw up so reliably and systematically. The effect of the SNAFU principle is a progressive disconnection of decision-makers from reality. This lightly adapted version of a fable dating back to the early 1960s illustrates the phenomenon perfectly: In the beginning was the plan, and then the specification; And the plan was without form, and the specification was void. And darkness was on the faces of the implementors thereof; And they spake unto their leader, saying: "It is a crock of shit, and smells as of a sewer." And the leader took pity on them, and spoke to the project leader: "It is a crock of excrement, and none may abide the odor thereof." And the project leader spake unto his section head, saying: "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide it." The section head then hurried to his department manager, and informed him thus: "It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength." The department manager carried these words to his general manager, and spoke unto him saying: "It containeth that which aideth the growth of plants, and it is very strong." And so it was that the general manager rejoiced and delivered the good news unto the Vice President. "It promoteth growth, and it is very powerful." The Vice President rushed to the President's side, and joyously exclaimed: "This powerful new software product will promote the growth of the company!" And the President looked upon the product, and saw that it was very good. After the subsequent disaster, the suits protect themselves by saying "I was misinformed!", and the implementors are demoted or fired.
- sodium fluoride — a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble, poisonous solid, NaF, used chiefly in the fluoridation of water, as an insecticide, and as a rodenticide.
- special feature — an article differing from the normal format and focusing on a particular topic
- st. ulmo's fire — St. Elmo's fire.
- stiff upper lip — stoicism
- strombuliferous — having organs coiled as spirals
- subprofessional — being below professional standards: subprofessional health care.
- sulfite process — a process for making wood pulp by digesting wood chips in an acid liquor consisting of sulfurous acid and a salt, usually calcium bisulfite.
- sulfur trioxide — an irritant, corrosive, low-melting solid, SO 3 , obtained by the oxidation of sulfur dioxide, used as an intermediate in the manufacture of sulfuric acid.
- super-efficient — performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable: a reliable, efficient assistant.
- superconfidence — great or extreme confidence, overconfidence
- superefficiency — the quality or condition of being superefficient
- superficialness — being at, on, or near the surface: a superficial wound.
- supporting film — a film that accompanies the main feature film in a film programme
- surface density — quantity, as of electric charge, per unit surface area.
- surface tension — the elasticlike force existing in the surface of a body, especially a liquid, tending to minimize the area of the surface, caused by asymmetries in the intermolecular forces between surface molecules.
- surface-ripened — (of cheese) ripened on the surface by molds or other microorganisms.
- sylvian fissure — lateral fissure.
- tentaculiferous — having tentacles
- theft insurance — insurance against loss or damage of property resulting from theft.
- thermodiffusion — thermal diffusion.
- tourist traffic — the number of tourists that visit an area
- transfiguration — the act of transfiguring.
- trout fisherman — a fisherman who catches trout
- ultrafastidious — extremely fastidious
- un-fortuitously — happening or produced by chance; accidental: a fortuitous encounter.
- undress uniform — a uniform worn on other than formal occasions.
- unfamiliarities — not familiar; not acquainted with or conversant about: to be unfamiliar with a subject.
- unforgivingness — not disposed to forgive or show mercy; unrelenting.
- unfossiliferous — (of sediment, clay, rock, etc) not containing fossils
- university fees — charges made by a university for the administering of a course of study or an examination
- viewing figures — the number of people watching a television programme
- writ of summons — a writ requiring one to appear in court to answer a complaint.