Syracuse: Sewercuse (nickname)
The city of Syracuse, New York -- also Syracuse University -- is sometimes given the unflattering nickname of "Sewercuse" (sewer + Syracuse). "In winter, it's Siberacuse, spring…
Poughkeepsie: Po-Town (nickname)
The city of Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess County, New York, often has its name written as "Po-town" or "Po'town." "Po-town" was cited in the Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal…
“Did you hear about the Italian chef? He pasta way”
It's one of the most popular of pasta puns: "Did you hear about the Italian chef? he pasta way." "Pasta way" was cited in a 1967 newspaper. "Did you hear about the…
“Why did the chef take his own life?”/“Because he lost the huile d’olive.”
"Huile d'olive" (French for "olive oil") sounds like "will to live," prompting the joke: Q: Why did the chef take his own life?A: Because he lost huile…
“My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana…” (joke)
Not everyone understands the concept of a frozen banana (a dessert on a stick). American stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg (1968-2005) told this joke in his act by at least 1999: "My friend…
“Why does a Frenchman have only one egg in his omelet?” (joke)
"Un oeuf" (French for "one egg") sounds like "enough," prompting the pun: Q: Why does a Frenchman have only one egg in his omelet?A: Because one egg is un oeuf. The…
“Next time you order coffee at Starbucks tell them your name is Bueller, then leave the store”
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) is an American classic comedy film. The student, named Ferris Bueller, skips school, and the teacher calls out "Bueller? Bueller?" to an empty chair.…
“Don’t put sugar on shit and tell me it’s a brownie”
To "sugarcoat" something is to make something more pleasant than it actually is. "Don't put/sprinkle sugar on shit and tell me it's a brownie/candy/chocolate" is a…
“We used to have empires ruled by emperors and kingdoms ruled by kings…”
A popular not-safe-for-work joke is: "We used to have empires ruled by emperors. We used to have kingdoms rules by kings. Now we have countries ruled by..." British comedian Kenny Everett…
“What do you call a chef under stress?”/“A pressure cooker.”
There are several jokes about pressure cookers and slow cookers. This pressure cooker joke is from at least 2002: Q: What chef thrives under stress?A: A pressure cooker. Several politically…
“A ham sandwich walks into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." One food joke variation is: "A ham sandwich walks into a bar and begins to order. The…
“Knock, knock.”/“Who’s there?”/“9/11.”/“9/11 who?” (joke)
A knock-knock joke involving the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 is: "Knock, knock.""Who's there?""9/11.""9/11 who?""You said you'd…
“In honor of tax season, for an extra $50, the hookers in Times Square will handle your extension”
American late night television comedian David Letterman hosted the New York City-based shows Late Night with David Letterman on NBC and Late Show with David Letterman on CBS, broadcasting from 1982…
“You have to be a contortionist in this economy to make ends meet”
The old financial expression of "make ends meet" becomes a joke when a contortionist is mentioned. "The contortionists at Barnum's show will never know what it is to be…
“Crime in New York is really serious. The Statue of Liberty had both hands up”
Comedian Jay Leno said on NBC's The Tonight Show in September 1990: "That crime problem in New York is getting really serious. The other day the Statue of Liberty had both hands up."…
Ocean Meat (seafood)
Seafood is infrequently called "ocean meat." "Ate some amazing seafood stew that my wonderful love made earlier this week for lunch. Who knew all this ocean meat could be so…
“A good building, you got a door man. A bad building, you just got a man in a door”
American actor, political commentator and stand-up comedian. D.L. Hughley said in his stand-up act on Comedy Central on November 28, 2003: “In L.A., rich people live with rich people and poor…
“New York’s tough without the coin, isn’t it?”
New York City can be a very difficult place for someone who doesn't have any money. American novelist and journalist Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) wrote about the music publishers of "Tin…
“The trouble with New York is that it’s so convenient to everything I can’t afford”
American television personality and game show executive Jack Barry (1918-1984) was quoted in a newspaper entertainment column by Earl Wilson (1907-1987) in January 1951: "EARL'S PEARLS.…
Pajama Trader
There are two kinds of traders who have been called "pajama" (or "pyjama") traders. A "pajama trader" is a small investor, who might trade from home (while wearing…