What is the definition of Designated Studies?

"Designated studies" is a fancy term for research projects that have been officially green-lighted by some lofty authority, usually with a mandate to explore certain topics under controlled conditions. It's like when you're in school and your teacher says, "Alright class, let's do this 'tudy' on how to make the most out of your lunch breaks" — but instead, it's an official, scientifically-backed exploration of, say, the best time to eat a pizza for maximum flavor.

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Here's an edgy example sentence: "The government designated studies on the optimal time to watch paint dry: 'At 3 am sharp, when the world outside is asleep and your cat's not judging your decisions on whether to spill the coffee.'"