“Don’t count the days, make the days count”
"Don't count the days, make the days count" is a saying that has been printed on many posters, with credit often given to American boxer Muhammad Ali. If Ali ever said it, he…
Gymaholic
A "gymaholic" (gym + -aholic) is someone who likes to work out in a gym. "Tall, good-looking man, 43, gymaholic" was cited in a 1988 personal advertisement in New York magazine.…
“The stock market is a barometer of business”
It's often said that "the stock market is a barometer of business." "The stock market is the true barometer" was cited in 1851. "The stock market is a barometer by…
“Don’t be upset by the results you didn’t get from the work you didn’t do”
"Don't be upset by/with the results you didn't get from/with the work you didn't do" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been…
Arbageddon (arbitrage + Armageddon)
One day in August 2014 was a disaster for the arbitrage trade. The day was quickly dubbed "Arbageddon" or "arbageddon" (arbitrage + Armageddon). "On a day some traders…
“Survive and advance” (in a single elimination tournament)
North Carolina State won the NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament (a single elimination tournament) in 1983 with a memorable upset victory on a last-second shot. Queens, New York-born N.C. State…
“Overbought can become more overbought” (Wall Street adage)
"Overbought can become more overbought" (or "overbought can stay overbought") is a Wall Street adage. If people are still buying, then it might still be time to buy.…
Joe College
"Joe College" is a college boy. The term was first used to a college-age boy who devotes much time to extra curricular activities; later use of "Joe College" has placed less…
“Oversold can become more oversold” (Wall Street adage)
"Oversold can become more oversoldt" (or "oversold can stay oversold") is a Wall Street adage. If people are still selling, then it might still be time to sell. "Oversold…
“All show and no go”
"All show and no go" means someone (such as an athlete) or something (such as a race car) that looks good, but doesn't have a winning performance. "All show -- no go" was…
“Steal a hot stove and then come back for the smoke” (brazen criminal)
A person who can "steal a hot stove and then come back for the smoke" is a brazen criminal. Not surprisingly, the remark has often been directed at politicians. American playwright,…
Big Apple book by Gerald Cohen, Barry Popik (1991, 2011)
Gerald Cohen of the University of Missouri-Rolla (now named Missouri University of Science and Technology) published Origin of New York City's Nickname "The Big Apple" in 1991. The…
“A country with a government” (“A government with a country”)
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) said in his inaugural address as president on January 20, 1981: "We are a nation that has a government—not the other way around. And this makes us special among the…
Bumpitrage (bump + arbitrage)
"Bumptrage" (bump + arbitrage) occurs when a deal is arrange (for example, a deal to buy a company). Activists then threaten the deal unless demands are met (for example, a…
“How do you know when a drummer is at your door?” (joke)
One popular drummer joke (among many) is: Q: How can you tell when there's a drummer at your door?A: The knocking speeds up. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1993. Google…
“A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure”
"Diamonds are only lumps of coal that stuck to their jobs" is the first line of a much-reprinted 1922 poem by Minnie Richards Smith. "He was a pessimist that said a diamond is only a…
“Happiness lies in our own backyard, but it’s probably well hidden by crabgrass”
"Happiness lies in our own backyard, but it's probably well hidden by crabgrass" is a jocular quotation that has been printed on several posters. The quotation has been cited in…
“Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time”
"Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time" is a saying that has beenprinted on many posters. The quote has been cited on Twitter since August 18, 2011. The…
Little Ireland (Woodlawn, Bronx)
Woodlawn, in the Bronx, has had Irish residents since at least the 1840s, when Irish immigrants helped dig the Old Croton Aqueduct. The nickname "Little Ireland," however, wasn't…
Little Sri Lanka (Tompkinsville, Staten Island)
The northeastern Staten Island neighborhood of Tompkinsville has one of the largest Sri Lankan communities outside of that country. The name "Little Sri Lanka" has been in use since at…