“Be stubborn about your goals, but flexible about your methods”
"Be stubborn about your goals, but flexible about your methods" is a saying that has been printed on posters. "Remain firm about your goals, but flexible about your methods" was…
“It’s not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted”
"It is not what is poured into a student but what is planted that counts" is a saying that was cited in several newspapers in December 1958 and January 1959. Authorship is unknown. The…
“God made heaven and earth, and the rest was made in China”
"God made heaven and earth, and the rest was made in China" is a jocular saying that has been printed on posters. "God made the world...the rest was made in China" was cited in…
Fat Letter (presumed admissions acceptance letter)
Admissions offices in the pre-Internet era used to send acceptance letters in the mail. College seniors (or others applying to educational institutions) checked the mail each day, hoping for the…
Cashtration (cash + castration)
"Cashtration" or "cashstration" (cash + castration) is a jocular portmanteau term that combines money (or the lack of it) and impotence. The term "cashtration"…
“Is there a criminal lawyer in this town?” (lawyer joke)
One of the oldest of lawyer jokes is about the criminal lawyer. A stranger comes into a place and asks, "Is there a criminal lawyer in this town?" One citizen replies, "Yes, but…
GOPe or GOP-e
"GOPe" or "GOP-e" (GOP + e) usually stands for the Grand Old Party (Republican) establishment. "The three 'E's of the GOP-E" published on Free Republic on…
WHINO (whine + RINO)
“RINO" (Republican In Name Only) is a popular political term that has inspired other “in name only” terms. "WHINO" (whine + RINO) was coined by Kevin D. Williamson, who wrote…
Safety School
Many students apply to Ivy League schools. However, there is always the possibility that they will not be admitted, so they also apply to "safety schools" -- schools where they are fairly…
“You aren’t a true champion until you successfully defend your title”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Bleacher ReportUFC's Top 10 First-Time Title DefensesBy Brian Oswald , MMA Editor Oct 22, 2009They say you aren’t a true champion until you successfully defend your…
“Bad kicking is bad football” (Australian rules football adage)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe Full Points Footy Encyclopedia Of Australian Football Clubs Volume TwoBy John DevaneyLondon (?): Full Point Publications2009Pg. 120:If ever the old adage…
“If you’re even, he’s leavin’” (speed can’t be caught)
"If you're even, he's leavin'" is a football expression meaning that if a defensive back is "even" with the wide receiver, then that wide receiver (who is often…
“You run around for 90 minutes and the Germans win” (soccer saying)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Gary LinketerGary Winston Lineker, OBE (born 30 November 1960) is an English former footballer and current sports broadcaster. He holds England's record…
“Teach 25 years, not one year 25 times” (teaching adage)
"Teach 25 years, not one year 25 times" is a teaching adage of unknown authorship. A teacher should learn something new each year, and this should be reflected in the lesson plan.…
Golden Horde
The term "Golden Horde" was popularized by American author and survivalist James Wesley, Rawles. "Population Density and The Golden Horde" was the first chapter in his book,…
“Marriage is when a man loses his Bachelor’s degree and a woman gets her Master’s degree”
A frequently reprinted saying about marriage as an institution of learning was published in many newspapers in 1930: "Matrimony, says a writer, is an institution of learning. In which a man…
“Motorboat, motorboat go so slow…” (children’s rhyme)
A popular children's jump rope rhyme is: Motor boat, motor boat, Go so slow. Motor boat, motor boat, Go so fast. Motor boat, motor boat, Step on the gas. The jump rope acts as the motor boat,…
“A crowded parking lot means good food” (restaurant adage)
An old saying (in the pre-mobile devices age) is that to locate a good restaurant in a town, just check the parking lots. A crowded parking lot means that there's good food inside the…
Criss-Cross Applesauce
The book Criss-Cross Applesauce (1978) by B. A. King and Tomie DePaola contains the children's rhyme: Criss-cross applesauceSpiders crawling up your back!Spiders here, Spiders there.Spiders…
“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on”
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying has been cited in print since April 3, 1919, when this…