“Never judge presidential timber by its bark”
The New York City humor magazine Life published on June 28, 1923: "THE presidential candidates have started roaring. But you should never judge presidential timber by its bark."…
“Chicken pot pie—my three favorite things”
"Chicken pot pie -- my three favorite things" is a jocular line that has been printed on many images Chilean American stand-up comedian Pablo Francisco used the joke in his act by at…
Heroin Island (heroin + Staten Island)
The heroin epidemic on Staten Island made news in 2014 and 2015, creating the nicknames "Heroin's New Hometown" and "Heroin Island." "Heroin’s New Hometown: On…
Frosé (frozen rosé)
"Frosé" (frozen rosé) -- like an alcoholic slushee or Slurpee -- became popular in 2015 and the summer of 2016. "Dear dishes, I was gonna do you when I got home, but I cheated on…
Meatarian
A "vegetarian" eats vegetables, but not meat. A "meatarian" eats meat, with little or no vegetables. "Meatarian" has been cited in print since at least 1905.…
Meatatarian
A "vegetarian" eats vegetables, but not meat. A "meatatarian" eats meat, with little or no vegetables. "Meatatarian" has been cited in print since at least 1965.…
“What do you call a snake that works in the government?”/“A civil serpent.”
"Civil serpent" is a popular malapropism for "civil servant." A popular joke in October 1961 featured little girls telling each other what their fathers did. "My daddy is a…
Jewish Woodstock
The Woodstock Music & Art Fair took place in August 1969 in the Catskills, in the town of Bethel, Suffolk County, New York, and near the town of Woodstock. Various Jewish music festivals -- in…
Norwegian-American Line (R subway line)
"Little NorwaY" and "Finntown" were 20th century nicknames of Sunset Park/Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, and its many residents of Scandinavian origin. The "R" subway line…
“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire”
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) supposedly said of a political rival: "He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." The remark was supposedly made about either…
“Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. And scratch where it itches”
Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980), the only daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, said this in an interview with New York fashion newspaper Women's Wear Daily published on May 7, 1970:…
“The way out of trouble is never as simple as the way in”
E. W. Howe (1853-1937), a newspaper columnist on the Atchison )KS) Globe, wrote in 1908: "The way out of trouble is never as simple as the way in." Howe's aphorism has been…
“So often we rob tomorrow’s memories by today’s economies”
New York-based drama critic and author John Mason Brown (1900-1969) wrote in Morning Faces: A Book of Children and Parents (1949): "As a rule, for budgetary reasons, I do not travel in a…
“Sweet dreams are made of cheese. Who am I to dis a brie?”
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is a 1983 popular song from the British new wave music duo Eurythmics. "Sweet dreams are made of cheese" is a popular misheard lyric…
“Sarcasm is just one more service we offer”
"Sarcasm is just one more (free) service we offer" is a jocular line that has been printed on many images. Both "sarcasm is just one more service we offer" and "sarcasm is…
“Mommy, can i lick the bowl?” (joke)
Children often want to "lick the bowl" -- the mixing bowl. A popular joke is: Child: Mommy, can I lick the bowl?Mother: Shut up and flush it like anybody else! The joke has been cited in…
“Why are they called ‘buildings’ when they’re already finished?” (joke)
"Why are they called "buildings' when they're already finished? Shouldn't they be called 'builts'?" is a jocular question that has been printed on many…
Choco Taco or Taco Helado (ice cream taco)
The ice cream taco was popularized by "Choco Taco," a product that is trademarked with a first use date of August 15, 1983. The Choco Taco was invented in Pennsylvania by Alan Drazen of…
Drinksicle (drink + popsicle)
A "drinksicle" (drink + popsicle) is any drink -- alcoholic or non-alcoholic -- frozen into a popsicle. "Drink-sicle" was cited in print in 1959, when it referred to a popsicle…
“An Oxford comma walks into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." An Oxford comma version is: "An Oxford comma walks into a bar. Orders a gin, and…