City Series (Mets vs. Yankees)
A baseball "Subway Series" is when a New York National League team (such as the New York Mets, but also formerly the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants) plays the New York American…
Trolley Series (1889 World Series, Brooklyn Bridegrooms vs. New York Giants)
A baseball "Subway Series" is when a New York National League team (such as the New York Mets, but also formerly the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants) plays the New York American…
“Did you hear about the English teacher who went to jail?” (joke)
A joke about English teachers is: "Did you hear about the English teacher who went to jail? She got a full sentence." The pun was cited on Twitter on August 5, 2013. “I wanted to marry…
“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today”
"Don't/Never let yesterday take/use up too much of today" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Don't let yesterday use up too much of today" was included…
“There is more sophistication and less sense in New York than anywhere else”
American humorist and illustrator Don Herold (1889-1966) was quoted in Life magazine in January 19, 1922: "There is more sophistication and less sense in New York than anywhere else on the…
Colored People’s Time (CP Time or CPT)
"Colored people's time" (a later time than scheduled) is often regarded offensive slang, deriding black people as lazy. For example, if church is scheduled to start at noon, it might…
“What do you call a chicken staring at lettuce?”/“Chicken sees a salad.”
Chicken caesar salad has a joke: Q: What do you call a chicken staring at lettuce?A: Chicken sees a salad (chicken caesar salad). "What did the chicken say to the farmer about his lettuce…
“He speaks English with the flawless imperfection of a New Yorker”
Gilbert Millstein (1915-1999) wrote about Manhattan's famed French restaurant Lutèce (at 249 East 50th Street from 1961 to 2004) in Esquire magazine in January 1962: "He (founder Andre…
“The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand”
"The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand" is a popular one-line verse that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. The drinking expression was used in three…
“Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery”
"Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery" is a saying that has been attributed to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) and that has been printed on…
“Capitalism without failure is like religion without sin. It doesn’t work”
One unnamed Reagan administration regulator was against bailing out America's savings and loans, saying in June 1981, "Capitalism without failure is like Christianity without hell."…
“A little government involvement is just as dangerous as a lot”
Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne (1933-2006) wrote in Why Government Doesn't Work (1995): "A little government involvement is just as dangerous as a lot -- because the…
“Republicans campaign like Libertarians and govern like Democrats”
Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne (1933-2006) said in October 2005, "Republicans campaign like Libertarians and govern like Democrats." That is, Republicans campaign on a…
First City of the West (Minneapolis); Last City of the East (St. Paul)
The city of Minneapolis (MN) is on the west side of the Mississippi River, and St. Paul (MN) is on the east side. It's often said of these Twin Cities that Minneapolis is the "First City…
Fat Apple (fat + Big Apple)
Hillary Clinton was a United States Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009, but she wasn't born in New York and hadn't lived in New York long before she was elected to office. When…
“A person who speaks good English in New York sounds like a foreigner”
New York speech (or "New Yorkese") is, perhaps, not perfect English. "A person who speaks good English in New York sounds like a foreigner" is a popular quote from comedian…
“Save your pennies and the sales tax will take care of them”
Pennies are almost worthless, but are often used to pay the odd amounts after a sales tax is added. "Save up your pennies and the sales tax will take care of them" is a sales tax saying…
“Save your pennies and the sales tax will take care of them”
Pennies are almost worthless, but are often used to pay the odd amounts after a sales tax is added. "Save up your pennies and the sales tax will take care of them" is a sales tax saying…
Murderapolis (murder + Minneapolis)
The city of Minneapolis (MN) was dubbed "Murderapolis" (murder + Minneapolis) by some in the 1990s after an increase in crime. Mark Koscielski, a gun shop owner, sued Minneapolis for its…
Minnesota: “Where the elite meet the sleet”
"Where the elite meet to eat" was the slogan of Duffy's Tavern, an American radio situation comedy, airing from 1941 to 1951. "Where the elite meet (the) sleet" is a…