“Prospects will break your heart” (baseball adage)
"Prospects will break your heart " is a baseball adage, used and popularized by Baseball Prospectus in February 2011 and in following years. The saying especially applies to pitching…
The Dinosaur (English Elm in Washington Heights)
"The Dinosaur" is tha name of an English Elm tree at St. Nicholas Avenue and 163rd Street in Washington Heights, Manhattan. George Washington is said to have walked by the tree around the…
Hare Krishna Tree (American Elm in Tompkins Square Park)
The "Hare Krishna Tree" is an American Elm in Tompkins Square Park, under which the Hare Krishna movement began in America in 1966. Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada…
“When you leave New York, you are astonished at how clean the rest of the world is”
“When you leave New York, you are astonished at how clean the rest of the world is,” New York-based author Fran Lebowitz told People magazine in September 1978. "Clean is not enough."…
“Make your mark in New York, and you are a made man”
Mark Twain (the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemons, 1835-1910) reported from New York City for the Daily Alta California, and wrote on May 17, 1867 (published on June 16): "Make your mark in…
“IKEA is Swedish for divorce”
IKEAis a Swedish multinational group that is the world's largest furniture retailer. "IKEA" is an acronym that consists of the initials of Ingvar Kamprad (the founder), Elmtaryd (the…
“If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?” (joke)
"April showers bring May flowers" is a proverb that dates to the 16th century. A popular Thanksgiving joke is: Q: If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?A:…
Turkey Day (Thanksgiving Day)
So much turkey is eaten on Thanksgiving Day tables that the holiday is often called "turkey day." "Turkey-day" was cited in a Boston (MA) newspaper in 1835 and "turkey…
“A green Thanksgiving means a white Christmas”
"A green Thanksgiving means a white Christmas" is a winter adage. If it doesn't snow on Thanksgiving, it will snow on Christmas. If it does snow on Thanksgiving, it will not snow on…
“Church is never out until they stop singing”
"Church is never out until they stop singing" is another way of saying "It ain't over 'til it's over." "As long as the organ is playing church is not…
“We take career advice from someone who went to college to be a guidance counselor”
Students take career advice from a guidance counselor. "It's alarming that I took all my career advice from someone who thought it would be a good idea to go to college to be a guidance…
“Diets are for people who are thick and tired of it”
"Diets are for people who are thick and tired of it" -- a pun on "sick and tired" -- has been a popular line since the 1950s. "If you're thick and tired of" has…
“People go to Weight Watchers to learn their lessens”
"People go to Weight Watchers to learn their lessens" is a pun on "learn their lessons." The dieting joke joke was cited in the newsgroup rec.humor in 1996. Google Groups:…
“How many politicians would it take to save the world?” (joke)
John Lundin wrote on Politicus USA in November 2015: "To paraphrase an old joke, 'How many politicians would it take to save the world?' Answer: 'No one knows. It’s never been…
“Dieting is the penalty for living beyond your seams”
"If you’re overweight, you’re living beyond your seams" -- a pun on "living beyond your dreams/means" -- was cited in a newspaper in 1957. "Watch the old weight.…
“A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your width”
"A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your width" is a popular one-line saying about dieting. "Diet: When You Have To Go To Some Length To Change Your Width"…
“Dieting is not a piece of cake”
"Dieting is not a piece of cake" -- a jocular use of the expression "piece of cake" -- has been printed on posters. "Dieting is no piece of cake" is a headline that…
“Is a hot dog a sandwich?” (debate question)
"Is a hot dog a sandwich?" became a popular debate question on the 2000s, but it was not always even a question. The hot dog is meat between bread and, in the 19th century and early 20th…
“No Jews need apply”
Jewish people faced discrimination in the United States -- even in New York City, where Jews are a significant part of the population. "No Jews need apply" appeard in New York City…
Times Plaza (Brooklyn)
When the New York (NY) Times newspaper moved to Longacre Square in 1904, the square was renamed "Times Square." When the Brooklyn (NY) Daily Times moved in 1914 to Flatbush, Fourth and…