America’s Mayor
"America's mayor" is a term that has been applied to an exemplary mayor of an American city. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell (from 1992-2000) was called "America's…
“I would rather be governed by the first hundred names in the telephone book”
American conservative author and journalist William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925-2008) -- who went to Yale University -- didn't think that academics necessarily made great legislators. The New York…
Otto (football linebacker position)
"Sam, Mike and Will" (strongside, middle and weakside) are popular linebacker names, but there is also "Otto." The name "Otto" was coined by Jacksonville Jaguars head…
TPTSB or PTSB (The Powers That Shouldn’t Be)
"The powers that be, are ordeined of God” is from Romans XIII.1 of the King James Bible (1611). The term “the powers that be” has been used to describe other higher powers, such as those…
TPTB or PTB (The Powers That Be)
"The powers that be, are ordeined of God" is from Romans XIII.1 of the King James Bible (1611). The term "the powers that be" has been used to describe other higher powers, such…
“The toes you step on today may be connected to the ass you’ll kiss tomorrow”
"The toes you step on today may be connected to the ass you will have to kiss tomorrow" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many posters and ecards. "Beware the toes you…
First Attempt In Learning (“fail” backronym)
"First Attempt In Learning" is a backronym (back acronym) of the word "fail." The "fail" backronym has been printed on many posters. "FAIL most def.. First…
“He cast down ten commandments. The two most important are…” (TV news joke)
American journalist and historian David Halberstam told a town meeting at Yale University in November 1974 that television condenses the news. If Moses had received the Ten Commandments in the…
“I’m not fat—I’m just so sexy, it overflows”
"I'm not fat -- I'm just so sexy, it overflows" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many posters and ecards. The saying has been on Twitter since September 21, 2010.…
“Never hook with a hooker” (boxing adage)
"Don't/Never hook with a hooker" is a boxing adage. The origin of the expression is unknown, but it was applied at the "Fight of the Century" between Muhammad Ali and Joe…
“Shrink it and pink it” (men’s to women’s sportswear)
Sports apparel manufacturers had a standard method when adding a women's line -- to take the men's product, shrink it, and then color it pink. The process became known in the sportswear…
Airport Test (Pittsburgh Airport Test)
The "airport test" (also called the "Pittsburgh airport test") is one tool of employee selection. The interviewer asks himself or herself how it would feel being snowed in at…
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going!”
"Don't watch the clock; do what it does Keep going!" has been printed on many posters, with credit usually given to Brooklyn-born humorist Sam Levenson (1911-1980). Levenson included…
“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.…