“Bad weather always looks much worse through a window”
"Bad weather always looks much worse through a window," wrote Bronx-born John Kieran in Footnores on Nature (1947). The quote has been frequently cited, although the word "much"…
“Why don’t Jews drink? It interferes with their suffering”
The Jewish people must love suffering, it's often said, because they have so much of it. A popular joke is: Q: Why don't Jews drink? A: It interferes with their suffering. The joke was…
“How many bathroom-window curtains must die needlessly to clothe golfers?”
Some people in sports -- especially golfers -- are known to be terrible dressers. "How many more bathroom-window curtains must die needlessly to clothe golfers?" was credited to Mike…
Philanthropreneur (philanthropist + entrepreneur)
A "philanthropreneur" (philanthropist + entrepreneur) is someone who, through business, invests in charitable causes. The Philanthropreneur Newsletter was trademarked with a first use in…
“If there’s a bar where everybody knows your name, you’re probably an alcoholic”
"If there's a bar where everybody knows your name, you're probably an alcoholic" is a jocular saying that has been printed on GIFs." The American television sitcom Cheers…
“Did you ever stop to think that maybe coffee is addicted to ME?”
"Did you ever stop to think that maybe coffee is addicted to ME?" is a jocular saying that has been printed on posters and T-shirts. "i like to think that the coffee is addicted to…
Have Yachts (from “haves and have nots”)
The world has "haves" (the rich) and "have nots" (the poor). A new category is sometimes added -- the "have yachts" (mega-rich). A battle between the "haves"…
“I’m a chemical engineer. I convert beer and wine into urine”
The "convert beer into urine joke" has been popular since at least the 1990s. About 2008, a joke called the "Wisdom of a Retiree" circulated from an uncredited source:…
“When I told the doctor about my loss of memory, he made me pay in advance”
Several businesses require pay in advance. A popular 1915 joke involves a doctor: She -- I saw the doctor today about my loss of memory.He -- What did he do?She -- Made me pay in advance. -- London…
“I ate four cans of alphabet soup and had the biggest vowel movement ever”
"I ate four cans of alphabet soup and had the biggest vowel movement ever" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on posters and ecards. The "vowel movement" (vowel…
Sailor Sandwich
The "sailor sandwich" began in 1943 at the New York Deli (originally "New York Delicatessen") in Richmond, Virginia, where it was served to the many sailors who were customers…
“Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life”
"Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life" is a popular one-line saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1977. 27 October…
“I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off”
"I can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off" went viral on Twitter on November 19, 2010. The one-liner has been included on many jokes…
“Talent recognizes talent”
"Talent recognizes talent" is a saying used in sports, entertainment and other business enterprises. A good basketball player, for example, will recognize another good basketball player…
“Strong people don’t put others down. They lift them up”
"Strong people don't put others down. They lift them up" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many posters. "Strong people don't put other people down, they…
“What’s the difference between a hockey game and a boxing match?” (joke)
Hockey is known for its fights, and a popular joke is: Q: What's the difference between a hockey game and a prize fight?A: In a hockey game, the fights are real. The joke has been cited in…
Dirt-poor
Someone who is "dirt-poor" is extremely poor, owning little except, perhaps, dirt. The expression began in the United States in the second half of the 19th century, although it's not…
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect”
Entry in progress -- B.P."Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. TwitterRyan…
“We don’t need shooters, we need makers” (basketball adage)
Basketball teams need shooters, but basketball coaches often correct this with, "We don't need shooters. We need makers." That is, a team needs accurate shooters. "Some people…
“What news on the Rialto?” (Rialto theatre district)
"The Rialto" was the 14th Street theatre district. The theatre district has long since moved uptown, and "the Rialto" is no longer used. The term was extremely popular in the…