tinderbox
(noun) a box for holding tinder
tinderbox
(noun) a dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violence; “the Balkans are the tinderbox of Europe”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
tinderbox (plural tinderboxes)
A small container containing flint, steel, and tinder (dry, finely-divided fibrous matter), once used to help kindle a fire.
(by extension) a place that is so dry and hot that there is danger of fire.
(by extension) a potentially dangerous situation.
• box
Source: Wiktionary
11 January 2025
(noun) low evergreen shrub of high north temperate regions of Europe and Asia and America bearing red edible berries
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
