“A corn stalk walks into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A corn stalk version is: "A corn stalk walks into a bar. The bartender says,…
“How many actors does it take to change a light bulb?” (joke)
A popular actor "light bulb" joke was told by American actor Matthew Broderick in 1985: Q: How many actors does it take to change a light bulb?A: One hundred. One to do it, and 99 to say…
“No one wants to hear about your fantasy football team”
Fantasy football is popular in the United States, but people are bored hearing about other people's fantasy teams. "No one wants to hear about your fantasy football team" is a common…
“Sex education classes are like in-home sales parties for abortions”
American constitutional lawyer and conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly (1924-2016) was no fan of sex education in schools. Schlafly wrote in a syndicated newspaper column in April 1985:…
Deadstream Media (Dead Stream Media)
"Deadstream media" or "dead stream media" is an unflattering nickname that some have applied to the "mainstream media" (MSM). The "deadstream media" is dead,…
Bronx Salute
The term "Bronx salute" has been cited in print since at least 1927, when it meant the Bronx cheer. The gesture involves the tongue between the lips, and is also called a…
Dirty Bronx
"Dirty Bronx" is a hip-hop name for the Bronx that has been cited in print since at leas 2004. "Dirty" can mean unclean, but it also means dangerous or violent. Wikipedia: The…
Pumpkin House (Hudson Heights, Manhattan)
The "Pumpkin House" is the 1920s 3,144-square-foot home at 16 Chittenden Avenue, above the Henry Hudson Parkway at 186th Street, in Manhattan's Washington Heights (or Hudson…
North New York (South Bronx)
"North New York" is a 19th century name for what is now the South Bronx (Mott Haven and Port Morris). The Evening Post (New York, NY) stated on November 10, 1868: "Passing over the…
Chocha Beach (Orchard Beach)
Orchard Beach in the Bronx was opened by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the 1930s; it was so grand that it was called “the Riviera of New York"/"Bronx Riviera." The beach soon…
Horseshit Beach (Orchard Beach)
Orchard Beach in the Bronx was opened by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the 1930s; it was so grand that it was called “the Riviera of New York"/"Bronx Riviera." The beach soon…
Night-soil Man (Night-soil Collector; Night Soiler)
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)night-soil collector n.1853 Hull Packet & E. Riding Times 10 June 8/2 The night-soil collectors..had taken a piece of ground on the opposite…
Confidence Man
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Confidence trickA confidence trick (synonyms include confidence game, confidence scheme, ripoff, scam and stratagem) is an attempt to defraud a person or group…
Maxxinista (T.J. Maxx + fashionista)
A "Maxxinista" (T.J. Maxx + fashionista) is someone who shops at the American department store chain T.J. Maxx. "Maxxinista" was trademarked by the company with a first use on…
“When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye”
"If life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is an old saying from the early 1900s. There have been many jocular variations. "When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye"…
“When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt”
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt" is a popular work saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was printed in an April 11, 1947 Richmond (VA)…
“No matter how fast your car is, you can’t outrun a police radio”
"No matter how fast your car is, you can't outrun a police radio" is a policing adage. A speeding criminal, for example, often is tempted to go faster and escape the police. The…
Front Page (East Flatbush, Brooklyn nickname)
"Front Page" is the nickname for the area of East Flatbush, Brooklyn at Foster Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, at the Vanderveer Estates apartment buildings. Crime was so bad that drug…
Back Page (East Flatbush, Brooklyn nickname)
"Front Page" is the nickname for the area of East Flatbush, Brooklyn at Foster Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, at the Vanderveer Estates apartment buildings. Crime was so bad that drug…
“I love hard work. I could watch it all day”
English author Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) wrote about work in Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) (1889): "It always seems to me that I am doing more work than I should do. It is…