Happy Warrior
English Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote "Character of the Happy Warrior" in 1806, after the death of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Many people in the…
“Some of my best friends are Jews”
"Some of my best friends are..." has been a popular meme for over 100 years. While the speaker is not that type of person, he or she has friends of that type. Therefore, any criticism…
“How do you steam clams?”/“Make fun of their religion.”
The word "steam" can mean "to anger" and a person can have a "clammy" personality, as in the joke: Q: How do you steam clams?A: Make fun of their religion. "Very…
Pink Tax (Woman Tax)
"Pink tax" (or "woman tax" or "women's tax") is a term that means that women pay more for comparable products and services than men pay for them. For example, a…
“If work is so terrific, how come they have to pay you to do it?”
"If work is so terrific, how come they have to pay you to do it?" is a jocular one-liner that has been printed on GIFs. Leonard Lyons (1906-1976) wrote in his syndicated "The Lyons…
Call Girl
"Call girls" were, originally, the telephone operators (mostly women) who connected calls. "Call girl" now refers to a sex worker who is available on call. The term "call…
“Three logicians walk into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A popular logic joke is: The bartender says: “Would any of you guys like a drink?”The…
“If number two pencils are so popular, why are they still number two?”
No. 2 pencils are often required on standardized tests. The name "No. 2" refers to the graphite grading scale. A popular joke has been cited in print since at least 1998: "If a…
“An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A popular math joke has been cited in print since at least 2008: "An infinite number…
Anchor Democrat (anchor baby + Democrat)
An "anchor baby" is the child of parents who are not U.S. citizens. The baby, if born in the United States, nevertheless becomes a U.S. citizen and is an "anchor" for bringing…
“An engineer, a doctor and a priest are playing golf” (joke)
"An engineer, a doctor and a priest are playing golf" is the opening line to a popular joke that has been cited in print since at least 1996. The doctor and the priest offer sympathy and…
NYE (New Year’s Eve)
"NYE" stands for "New Year's Eve." "NYE" has been cited in print since at least 1974, but became popular in the 1990s. New York City holds a famous New…
“Yo mama’s so stupid, she thought Dunkin’ Donuts was a basketball team”
A popular "yo mama" joke is: "Yo mama's so stupid, she thought Dunkin' Donuts was a basketball team." "Ur Mama so stupid she thought dunkin donuts was a…
“Why don’t melons run away to get married?”/“Because they cantaloupe.”
"Cantaloupe" sounds like "can't elope." The pun has been cited in print since at least 1886. 9 September 1886, Wall Street Daily News (New York, NY), pg. 1, col. 2:FRED…
“What do you call a cow with no legs?”/“Ground beef.”
Popular cow riddles are: “What do you call a cow with one leg?"/"Steak.”“What do you call a cow with two legs?"/"Your mom.”“What do you call a cow with two/three…
“What do you call a cow with three legs?”/“Lean beef.”
Popular cow riddles are: “What do you call a cow with no legs?"/"Ground beef.”“What do you call a cow with one leg?"/"Steak.”“What do you call a cow with two…
Portageville: Grand Canyon of the East (Letchworth State Park nickname)
Letchworth State Park, located 35 miles southwest of Rocheter in Livingston and Wyoming counties in New York, has many waterfalls and a deep gorge. In 1928, signs were placed outside Letchworth…
“Some guy hit my fender, and I told him, ‘Be fruitful and multiply’”
New Yorkers have been known to curse. New York-born Woody Allen said in his standup comedy act (about 1964): "I don't know what else to tell you about myself, I was a writer and an actor,…
Keeseville: Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks (Ausable Chasm nickname)
Ausable Chasm, located in Keeseville, New York, was called in 1910 the "Grand Canyon of the east, located in the Adirondacks." It's now billed as the "Grand Canyon of the…
“A one hour workout is only 4% of your day. No excuses”
"A one hour workout is only 4% of your day. No excuses" is a motivation saying that has been printed on posters. "There are no excuses...you just gotta make time!!! a 1 hour workout…