Heartbreak Hotel (Ramada Plaza JFK Hotel)
The Ramada Plaza JFK Hotel (at JFK Airport) was called "Heartbreak Hotel" (also the title of a 1956 Elvis Presley song) in July 1996, when it housed grieving family members of those who…
“I got kicked out of ballet class because I pulled a groin muscle. It wasn’t mine”
A dancer's career often involves injuries. Comedian Rita Rudner started as a dancer on Broadway, until she suffered an injury. "I pulled a groin muscle," Rudner said in 1988.…
Neoconner (neocon + conner)
"Neoconner" (neocon + conner) was the headline of a Leslie H. Gelb book review in the New York (NY) Times on April 27, 2008, about Aram Roston's book,The Man Who Pushed America to…
“The aim of a college education is to teach you to know a good man when you see one”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe Harvard Educational Review1968Pg. 227:It was, for example, President Burton of Smith College who used to say to his girls, "the purpose of a college…
“My new boss told me to be on call 24/7. I don’t mind as July 24th is ages away”
"24/7" means "24 hours a day, 7 days a week" -- all the time. It does not mean "July 24th," but there have been several jokes about that. "You work 24/7? Wow, I…
Sausage Sandwich
A "hot dog" has sometimes been called a "sausage sandwich." Is a hot dog a sandwich?" is a popular debate question, but it definitely is a sandwich. "Sausage (!)…
Kabbouleh (kale + tabbouleh)
"Kabbouleh" (kale + tabbouleh) was popularized in the United States in 2013 and 2014. "Yummy making Kabbouleh salad for lunch tomorrow- a combo of quinoa and kale to be #GlutenFree -…
“Funny don’t make money” (professional wrestling adage)
"Funny don't make money" is a professional wrestling adage that has been cited in print since at least 2009. The adage means that fans watch professional wrestling for the action,…
“What’s the difference between a fund manager and a shopping trolley?” (joke)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Independent (Ireland)That's your cash in the public purse!PUBLISHED06/11/2003 | 00:11(...)Heard on the Street: What's the difference between a shopping trolley…
“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds”
"They tried to bury us. They didn't know we were seeds" is a proverbial political saying that has been printed on many posters. "They tried to bury me. They didn't know I…
“People think of education as something they can finish”
"People think of education as something they can finish" is a saying that has been printed on GIFs. American author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) said in a 1988 conversation with journalist…
Nation’s Report Card (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is frequently called "The Nation's Report Card" and it runs a website with that title, although the term has not been…
“He’ll do to ride the river with”
"He'll do to ride the river with" is supposedly a saying from the old west, such as Texas in the 1850s. The saying means that someone (such as a cowboy) can be trusted. A river was a…
Grand Slam (horse racing)
The Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing in the United States consists of three races -- the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Many sports have a group of four top events…
“We dine out twice a week. My wife goes Tuesdays and I go Fridays”
New York-based comedian Henny Youngman (1906-1998) was known as the "king of the one-liners" and often told jokes about his marriage, usually introduced with, "Take my wife --…
Grand Slam (tennis)
Many sports have a group of four top events called the "Grand Slam." The four tennis Grand Slam events are the Australian Open (mid January), French Open (May and June), Wimbledon (June…
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option”
"Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option" is a saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least…
“The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise wealth”
"The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise the wealth which it prevents you from achieving" is a popular quotation that has been credited to several people.…
“A blue trip slip for an 8 cent fare…” (horse-car poetry)
Noah Brooks and Isaac Bromley, of the New York (NY) Daily Tribune, were riding downtown one evening in 1875 on the Fourth Avenue line, No. 101, when they read a placard. With the help of W. C.…
“The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn”
"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn" is a popular saying that has been printed on posters and ecards. "One of the many difficult decisions…