birling

birl·ing

(bûr′lĭng)

A game of skill, especially among lumberjacks, in which two competitors try to balance on a floating log while spinning it with their feet. Also called logrolling.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

birl•ing

(ˈbɜr lɪŋ)

n.

a competition for lumberjacks, in which each tries to balance on a floating log while rotating the log with the feet.

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Noun

birling - rotating a log rapidly in the water (as a competitive sport)

logrolling

spin, twirl, twisting, whirl, twist - the act of rotating rapidly; "he gave the crank a spin"; "it broke off after much twisting"

athletics, sport - an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

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References in classic literature ?

Not long, ye would think, with men like Ardshiel in exile and men like the Red Fox sitting birling the wine and oppressing the poor at home.

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In the play, the well-to-do Birling family are having a get-together when they are interrupted by Inspector Goole, who arrives with some questions about the suicide of a young woman a few rungs below them on the social ladder.

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The mysterious Inspector Goole calls on the prosperous Birling family.

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The story begins with the mysterious Inspector Goole arriving unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home.

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Antonio Rimola as Eric Birling, the industrialist's hard-drinking son, gives a commanding, physical performance but Naomi Underwood as his sister Sheila grappled for a convincing voice until the second act.

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At Birling Gap on the East Sussex coast, which marks the start of the white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, and has a cafe, car park, hotel and cottages, the speed of erosion has been "breathtaking", according to Jane Cecil, National Trust general manager for the South Downs.

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Our forebears must be birling in their graves in shame.

Your texts

As Arthur Birling (Geoff Leesley) insists life is a matter of every man for himself, the inspector reveals how much our actions affect the lives of others.