Dictionary

petit-four: Translated from "small oven" in French and typically a highly artistic small decorated cake that can be either petit four secs (dry) or petit four glace (iced).

platinum: In its purest form, a strong and dense metal that, while easily scratched, is once again a highly popular choice for jewelry.

post-graduate degree: Any recognized level of advanced certification following a Bachelor's degree and including Master's and doctoral degrees along with standard professional programs.

red velvet: Typically attributed to Southern traditions, this deep red cake is made with - and sometimes without - chocolate, red food coloring or beets and topped with a cream cheese frosting.

sangria: A blend of fruits, fruit juice and spirits capped with red wine for color and meaning "blood" in Spanish. It becomes "sangria blanca" when white wine is used as the base.

septuagenarian: From the Latin "septuagenarius," and meaning a person who is 70-79 years of age.

sheepskin: In much earlier times, diplomas were typically crafted from thin layers of skin from sheep with the details inked by hand as paper was deemed too flimsy.

spritzer: A popular drink due to its lower alcohol qualities, it is a blend of soda water and any white wine and served in a tall glass. Can also be non-alcoholic and is sold commercially as such.