Armed America
In the 48 hours since the Virginia Tech massacre I have heard several radio reports in which different witnesses described their experiences. Not a single journalist or interviewer has felt it necessary to define the word "clip", which strikes me as significant.
I don't think I have ever seen a "clip", and yet I too know what it is. Clearly, America's gun culture has had a significant influence on everyone. Thanks are due to Hollywood, I suppose.
To get a sense of how wide-spread guns have become in American culture, visit ARMED AMERICA Portraits of Gun Owners in their Homes. It's a promotional web site for a forthcoming book of photographs by Kyle Cassidy. I personally found it terrifying.


Interestingly enough, just like all the talking heads misusing the word "clip" on the "news" every night, you probably DON'T know what a clip is. "Clip" and "magazine" are not interchangable words- a clip is a tool that holds (usually 5 or 10) rounds of ammunition together to facilitate loading a magazine.
Don't believe everything you hear on TV. Especially if it's about guns.