“Show the door” (to dismiss; a forced exit)
To "show someone the door" is to dismiss that person. A drunk at a bar who is "shown the door" is asked or forced to leave the establishment. A business executive who is…
“The future is not a gift; it is an achievement”
U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) said at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair) on August 7, 1962: "We cannot stand idly by and expect our dreams to come true…
“An Irishman walks out of a bar” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." "An Irishman walks out of a bar" is a joke about a joke, or a…
“A dyslexic man walks into a bra” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." "A dyslexic man walks into a bra" is a joke about a joke, or a…
“A guy walks into a bar with his pet dog…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." "A guy walks into a bar with his pet dog" is a popular joke. The dog does flips…
“A bear walks into a bar in Billings… (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." "A bear walks into a bar in Burnaby/Billings/Butte" is a popular joke that has…
“A bear walks into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A popular joke involves a bear who walks into a bar and says, "I'll have a…
“A default sans-serif font walks into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A popular form of the joke is: "Two fonts walk into a bar. The barman says to them,…
“Back to the salt mines”
"Back to the salt mines" means back to unexciting work, or "back to the daily grind." It's a comment often made after a weekend away from work. "If he starts anything…
“Don’t take any wooden nickels”
"Don't take any wooden money/nickels" means "don't be cheated/duped." "Don't take any wooden nickels or bad checks" was cited in 1903 and…
“Defense travels well”
"Defense travels well" is an adage that has been used in both basketball and football. For example, a basketball player might not be familiar with a particular basketball court, so jump…
“What did socialists use before candles? Electricity” (joke)
A popular joke is told about a failed economic state: Q: What did socialists use before candles?A. Electricity. The "What did we use before candles?" joke dates to at least 1964, when it…
Great American Job Machine (Texas nickname)
The term "Great American Job Machine" refers to the ability of the United States to create jobs for its citizens. "(U.S. President Ronald -- ed.) Reagan several months ago had…
Joe Frogger (cookie)
"Joe Froggers" are molasses cookies that are a specialty of Marblehead, Massachusetts. According to the legend, a Revolutionary War patriot named Joseph Brown (called "Uncle…
Jazz Brunch
A "jazz brunch" is a brunch (a breakfast/lunch meal usually served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) that includes jazz music. Commander's Palace made the jazz brunch a tradition in New…
Reformicon (reform conservative)
"Reformicon" (reform conservative) has been used since at least 2010 in Canadian politics. The American use of "reformicon" was popularized by liberal American political…
Reformocon (reform conservative)
"Reformocon" (reform conservative) has been used since at least 2008 in Canadian politics. "Extremely well-positioned to be the leading reformocon in the Senate, but hasn't…
“Without love, the rich and poor live in the same house”
"Without love, the rich and poor live in the same house" is a popular quotation for Valentine's Day. The saying has been cited in print since at least 2008. The author is unknown.…
Iatrogenic Government
Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) was the United States Senator from New York when he wrote the essay "Iatrogenic Government: Social Policy and Drug Research" for The American Scholar…
“What do the New York Rangers and the Titanic have in common?” (hockey joke)
"What do the New York Rangers and the Titanic have in common?" a popular hockey joke begins. The punchline: "They both look great until they hit the ice." "Why are the…