In yesterday magazine section of the (Sunday) NYTimes, William Safire column had a word (Chad! and a phrase both of interest to this board–the phrase was "I know where the rats in the barn are," and can be found at this link. It was a new one to me..
http://www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20001210mag-onlanguage.html
and thanks Cap't, and Ted--from your comment, I guess the rat is Gracie to more than me...