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…
“Nuclear fusion is just 30 years away—and always will be”
"Nuclear fusion is just 30 years away -- and always will be" is an old joke about an energy source that has long failed to be commercially viable. "Brazil is the country of the…
“I quit my job crushing cans. It was soda pressing”
"Soda pressing" is a pun for "so depressing." A rock song titled "Soda Pressing" by the punk group Boys was released in 1977. "He had a soft drink while catching…
“The world is your lobster”
"The world is your oyster" is an old proverb. "The world is your lobster" is a jocular variant that was said by the character Arthur Daley (played by George Cole) on the British…
“The more captains you have on the field the better” (soccer adage)
A soccer team has the positions of "captain" and "vice-captain." A general adage is that it's better for a team to have its captains playing on the field. "I've…
“Your pay raise becomes effective when you do”
"Note left in employe's pay envelope; 'Your pay raise becomes effective when you do'" was cited in a 1967 newspaper. The origin is unknown. "Your pay raise becomes…
“Check yourself before you wreck yourself”
American rapper Ice Cube released the single "Check Yo Self" in 1993 and popularized the line, "check yourself before you wreck yourself." "If you're not down with…
“How many Microsoft engineers does it take to change a light bulb?” (joke)
Microsoft Corporation's Windows operating system is so dominant in the computer industry that there is a popular joke: Q: How many Microsoft engineers does it take to screw in a light bulb? A:…
“Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it”
"Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it" is a popular line to avoid travelers' diarrhea from foods and drinks. The New Zealand Department of Health produced the booklet…
Hudson Mustache
The term "Hudson (River) mustache" was popularized in the New York (NY) Times article "River Grime? Triathletes Are Swimming in It" by Lindsay Crouse, published on August 3.…
Bragging Rights
When the New York Giants play the New York Jets in preseason, it's for "bragging rights" -- the right to brag about being the best team in New York City, even if the game itself is…
“I didn’t think wearing orthopaedic shoes would help my posture, but now I stand corrected”
"I didn't think wearing orthopaedic shoes would help my posture," an old joke goes, "but now I stand corrected." The joke has been told several times by television…
Wossamotta U or Whatsamatta U (fictional university)
"Whatsamatta" is dialect speech for "what's the matter." "Whatsamatta witcha?" was cited in 1925 in the comic strip Reg'lar Fellers by Gene Byrnes…