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big dipper
noun phrase

- a small railway in an amusement park which travels very quickly along a narrow track that slopes and bends suddenly

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

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Big dipper is an old-fashioned and primarily British word for roller coaster. The term is thought to have originated from a famous roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach called the Big Dipper. Blackpool is also the site of the world record for continuous big dipper riding, which is held by the American thrill-seeker Richard Rodriguez.

The 48-year-old smashed the previous longest ride of nine days and 12 hours with a 17-day stint on the Pepsi Max Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 2007.

Rodriguez was only allowed five minutes respite for every full hour ridden so he could change clothes, have a shower or enjoy a meal.

When capitalised, Big Dipper is also American English for the Plough, a group of seven bright stars, which can only be seen in the northern part of the world.

(adapted from BBC News)

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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation

"Even though I'm over fifty, I still love taking a ride on a big dipper."