“Low man wins” (football adage)
"Low man wins" is a popular saying in football. When offensive linemen play against defensive linemen, the lineman who goes low on the other lineman is the one who has the leverage.…
Music Row (West 48th Street)
New York City's "Music Row" was a collection of music instrument stores and repair shops along Manhattan's West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. The stores began…
Welfare Wednesday (Food Stamp Friday)
"Welfare Wednesday" describes the Wednesday of a month when welfare checks are sent out. The term is mostly used in Canada (especially in the city of Vancouver), but has also been used in…
“The party’s not over till you smile for the mugshot”
"The party's not over till you smile for the mugshot" is a jocular line that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, ecards and posters. "The party isnt over til…
“My gauge is fine ‘til the third glass of wine”
"My gauge is fine 'til the third glass of wine" is a saying that has been printed on a button. "My gauge is fine 'til the third glass of wine" was cited on Twitter on…
“Unless life also hands you water and sugar, your lemonade’s going to suck”
The phrase “to hand someone a lemon” (i.e., something defective) dates to at least 1906. The phrase “If life hands/deals/gives you lemons, make lemonade” (i.e., make the best of a bad…
Megadonor
A "mega-donor" (or"megadonor") is someone who gives a large sum of money to a person or a cause. Political campaigns actively seek "megadonors," but no specific dollar…
High Five Friday
"High Five Friday" (or "High-five Friday") is a day to celebrate the week's accomplishments, such as by giving a person a "high five" hand gesture. "High…
“Deadlines spur action” (business adage)
"Deadlines spur action" (or "a deadline spurs action") is an old business adage of uncertain origin. If both sides to a negotiation know of a deadline, a deal is often struck…
“I leave homework for the last day because I’ll be older and wiser”
"I leave homework to the last day because I'll be older and therefore wiser" is a jocular saying that has been printed on posters and ecards. The joke was first cited on Twitter on…
“I have mixed drinks about feelings”
"I have mixed drinks about feelings" is a jocular line that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and ecards. "I have mixed drinks about feelings" was…
“Spooning leads to forking”
"Spooning leads to forking" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and buttons. "Forking, an activity that tends to follow…
Veducation (vegetables + education)
"Veducation" (vegetables + education) means to educate someone to eat more vegetables. "You mean Baby Carrot and Broccoli School of Veducation?" was cited on Twitter on November…
“Don’t fight the Bank of Canada”
"Don't fight the Bank of Canada" is a takeoff on the more familiar "Don't fight the Fed" (Federal Reserve in the United States). The Bank of Canada is Canada's…
“Don’t fight the Fed”
"Don't fight the tape" (meaning to follow the trend; stock quotes used to be received on tickertape) is a Wall Street adage that was popularized in the 1950s. "Don't fight…
Thumbs Up Thursday
"Thumbs Up Thursday" means a day of approval. The term has been printed on posters and is often used in business promotions. "Thumbs Up Thursday" has been cited in print since…
Brosé (bro + rosé)
Rosé is a wine with an often pinkish color. Rosé had the reputation of being a wine mainly for women, but by 2011 that began to change. "Brosé: [broh-zey] –noun a pink wine enjoyed with…
“Winning is a trophy, failing is an education”
Tom Burns of The Good Man Project wrote in "25 Things I Think Every Dad Should Teach His Kids" on February 20, 2013 for The Huffington Post: "1. Winning is fun, but it teaches you…
“The halfway point of a marathon is 20 miles” (running adage)
A marathon is 26.2 miles; a half-marathon is 13.1 miles. However, marathoners often experience "the wall" of endurance at the 20-mile mark. "There is a saying among marathoners:…
“First is the worst, second is the best, third is the one with the treasure chest”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe Australian Mathematics TeacherVolumes 41-421985Pg. ?:The following incomplete rhyme is popular in our neighbourhood: First the worst, second the best,…