Skeuomorph

n.
the design element of a new object used to mimics the characteristic of an object it replaces but no longer provides a necessary function.

Apple Inc.'s firing of Scott Forstall precipitated a media dance around the term skeuomorph or skeuomorphism (Link, Link, Link, Link).  It seems this term is common in the design world and designer-types generally look down on skeuomorphic design.  Columnists and bloggers are more divided over skeuomorphs.  Skeuomorphs provide sensory familiarity but are criticized for their intrinsic anachronism.  Steve Jobs promoted their use in software as did Scott Forstall, whereas Jonathan Ives apparently did not.  The links provide many examples.  What is less clear is what is considered a necessary function?  Is fostering familiarity functional?

Storm in a Teacup

British idiom n.
Used in Wall Street Journal Live video (Link) regarding a gradual dip in Apple stocks after very strong growth.  According to Wikipedia, it's an idiom describing a small event exaggerated out of proportion.  There are many iterations of this including "tempest in a teapot" (American) and "storm in a glass of water" (many nations).

Monozukuri

n.
I learned a new term from Business Week: monozukuri—the Japanese tradition of “making things.”  This was noted in reference to a recent paradigm shift by Japanese companies to move manufacturing overseas to the likes of China, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the U.S. and then "reverse import" the products for purchase Japanese consumers.  There is a very good article from Japan Intercultural Consulting on the origin and nuanced meaning of monozukuri.  Apparently the U.S. counterpart would be something like American craftsmanship.  Monozukuri embodies a long held Shintoist respect for the materials of manufacturing, the actual use of monozukuri as a term began around 1998 so the naming of the tradition is fairly recent.

This culture of personal and local production extends beyond manufacturing.  A testament to this is the refined idiosyncratic styles of Japanese craftsmanship ranging from gardening, pottery, basket weaving, flower arranging, poetry, tea ceremonies, even the childhood pastime of dirt polishing (dorodango).

Another interesting feature realized is how monozukuri is a definition unto itself.  The term monozukuri was "manufactured" locally, written completely in hiragana and native to Japan.  The monozukuri set includes {monozukuri}.

Chalk and Cheese

AKA the British English counterpart of apples and oranges

British Food Terminology

I started collecting these while watching Ramsay's Best Restaurants:
American English→ British English
Zucchini→ Courgette
Thompson seedless grapes (white grapes) or Golden Raisins→ Sultanas
Eggplant→ Aubergine
Cilantro→ Corriander
Arugula→ Rocket

Exquisite Corpse

n.
Definition: A collaborative piece of poetry, song, drawing, etc. in which each contributor provides a part.

Use: Chicago Tribune

roman à clef

n.
Definition: A novel in which actual persons, places, or events are depicted in fictional guise. (Answers.com)

Use: NY Times "‘Fake Steve’ Blogger Comes Clean"