“He could sell ice to an Eskimo” (a good salesman)
"He could sell ice to an Eskimo" -- meaning that he can sell something to someone who has no need for it -- is an old expression to show that a person is a good salesman. "There are…
“Get a foot in the door” (get an opening to an opportunity)
The expression "get a foot in the door" comes from the days of door-to-door salesmen around 1900. A salesman would stick his foot in the door so that the door coudn't be closed, thus…
“Children learn what they live”
Dorothy Law Nolte (1924-2005) wrote verses under the title "Children Learn What They Live" for the Torrance (CA) Herald in 1954. She later published theverses in the book Children Learn…
“Why don’t chickens play baseball?” (joke)
A popular children's pun about baseball is: Q: Why don't chickens play baseball? A: Because they hit fowl balls. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1983. 5 February 1983,…
“What do you call a ghost at a hotel?”/“An inn spectre.”
An old hotel pun goes: Q:What do you call a ghost at a hotel?A: An inn spectre. "Why is a Hotel Ghost like a policeman? Because it is an Inn-spectre" was told in the humor magazine Punch,…
“Yuan some, you lose some” (Chinese yuan puns)
The Chinese currency called the "yuan" has resulted in many English puns with the words "one" and "you won." "Pun of the day: The Yuan and the Restless (i heart…
“He could sell sand in the Sahara desert” (a good salesman)
"He could sell sand in the Sahara desert" -- meaning that he can sell something to someone who has no need for it -- is an old expression to show that a person is a good salesman.…
Upstuck (poker winning/losing)
Irish-American professional poker player Phil Laak coined the word "upstuck" in August 2015. "Upstuck. A poker term invented by @PhilLaak 2 describe being stuck from ur…
Flash Drought
A "flash drought" is similar to a "flash flood." In a flash drought, a sudden, unexpected burst of high temperatures and low humidity comes into an area and stays for an…
Cock Rock
The term "cock rock" was coined by an anonymous faminist who wrote “Cock Rock: Men Always Seem to End Up on Top" for the October/November 1970 issue of the New York underground…
“Every knock is a boost”
Some businesses and politicians believe the old adage that "every knock is a boost" -- that is, if they're talking about you, then that's free publicity and you're ahead.…
“The used car salesman knows when he’s lying” (joke)
Used car salesmen have long had a reputation for lying about the poor condition of the used cars they sold. A joke soon developed in the computer industry: Q: What's the difference between a…
Dirty Yards (short runs in football)
"Dirty yards" in football are usually short yardage, highly contested runs for about three or four yards. A "home run" -- a clear path to big yardage and a possible score --…
Environmental Pollution Agency (Environmental Protection Agency or EPA nickname)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed in 1970 to protect human health and the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency has been nicknamed the…
Don’t Expect Protection (Department of Environmental Protection or DEP nickname)
New York City has a Department of Environmental Protectionn (DEP); many states also have DEPs. DEP has been nicknamed "Don't Expection Protection" by many activists who claim that…
“Inside every sportswriter is a frustrated athlete”
"Inside every sportswriter is a frustrated athlete" is an old saying of unknown authorship. "Whatzat you say about all scribes being 'frustrated athletes' who never stepped…
“It will take an act of Congress” (idiom)
"It will take an act of Congress" is often not meant literally, but is used as an idiom -- for example, "it will take an act of Congress to get him a date." "It will take…
“What’s your greatest weakness?” (job interview joke)
"What's your biggest weakness" is a common job interview question. A popular joke reply has been cited in print since at least 2013. TwitterVic Norman@DragonandFlagonBest…
“God created Brooklyn” (joke)
"God created Brooklyn is a humorous story that has been cited in print since at least 2011. Google Groups: Brooklyn Prep Class of 1969Fw: god created Brooklynfrank killea 2/20/11And God…
Irish Amnesia or Irish Alzheimer’s (to forget everything but the grudge)
"Irish Alzheimer's" is a jocular name for a supposed disease where an individual forgets everything except the grudges. The term was cited in the New York (NY) Post in 2000, when it…