A phrase template with variables that carries its own colloquial meaning.
The name SnowClone derives from the prototypical sentence "Eskimos have 4 words for snow". Generalized as "$group have $number words for $concept", it implies that slight variations of a concept are important enough to warrant their own words within a group.
SnowClones sighted prominently here:
- $construct ConsideredHarmful: Boatloads! http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?search=consideredharmful
- $noun1 is the new $noun2: JavaIsTheNewCobol, EnglishIsTheNewLatin