“An income is what you can’t live without or within”
"An income is what you can't live without or within" is a witty saying that was popularized -- with slight variations -- in 1890 and 1920. "You say you can't live within…
“Every thinking person will vote for you.”/“But I need a majority!”
A popular story is told about Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) when he was running for president in 1952 (or in 1956). Someone heard Stevenson's impressive speech and said, "Every thinking…
“I took an IQ test and the results were negative”
"I took an IQ test and the results were negative" is a jocular line that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and bumper stickers. Tests for diseases that come…
“If it’s free, it’s advice; if you pay for it, it’s counseling”
"If it's free, it's advice; if you pay for it, it's counseling; if you can use either one, it's a miracle" is a jocular line of uncertain authorship. The saying was…
“Do someone a favor and it becomes your job”
"Do someone a favor and it becomes your job" is a jocular work saying. If you help someone out, then it will quickly become your job to always help out. "Do Someone a Favor and It…
“Defeat is worse than death because you have to live with defeat”
"Defeat is worse than death because you have to live with defeat" is a popular sports saying that is usually attributed to American basketball coach Bill Musselman (1940-2000).…
J-E-T-S (Just End The Suffering)
"J-E-T-S” is a popular chant of football fans of the New York Jets. When the team is losing, some insist that this stands for “Just End The Suffering.” The backronym “Just End The…
“If tomatoes are technically a fruit, is ketchup technically a smoothie?”
Botanically, a tomato is a fruit. "If tomatoes are technically a fruit, is ketchup technically a smoothie?" is a jocular line that has been printed on posters and e-cards. "Today, I…
“My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit”
A good brisk walk is often a recommended form of exercise. ""My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit" is a popular joke that has been told by several people. "His favorite…
“Some people dream of success; others stay awake and achieve it”
"Some people dream of success; others stay awake and achieve it" (also, "Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" or "Some people dream of…
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
"If you can't convince them, confuse them" was popularized in 1948 by U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), referring to the tactics of the opposition Republican party. Truman…
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight”
Smiles -- such as "service with a smile" -- can be an important part of business etiquette. "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight" is saying that was popularized in…
“I wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realized that I am somebody”
"I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized that I am somebody" is a popular saying of unknown authorship. *I waited for somebody to do something. Then I realized I…
“Retail follows rooftops” (real estate adage)
"Retail follows (the) rooftops" is a popular real estate adage. If there are many homes ("rooftops") in an area, then retail (commercial developments) will follow. "Retail…
“Lord, help me to know what’s cooking before it boils over”
To "know what's cooking" means to know what's happening. "Lord, help me to know what's cooking before it boils over" means that one should spot trouble before it…
“For God so loved the world that He didn’t send a committee”
"For God so loved the world that He didn't send a committee" is a jocular indictment of committees that has been popular with newspaper political columnists and church preachers.…
“Good things happen when you put the puck on the net” (hockey adage)
"Good things happen when you put the puck on the net" is a hockey adage. The puck could go in the net for a score, or a score could occur from a rebound of the shot. "'I just…
“You never know how strong you are until you’re home alone and have to open your own pickles”
Pickle jars are notoriously difficult to open. "You never know how strong you are.... until you're home alone and have to open your own pickles" was cited on Twitter on October 6,…
“Between pigeons and politicians, it’s hard to keep the courthouse clean”
"Between pigeons and politicians, it's hard to keep the courthouse clean" is a jocular one-line saying. "Two reasons it is difficult to keep a courthouse clean" pigeons and…
“The peasants are revolting” (“The people are revolting”)
"The peasants/people are revolting" is a joke, playing of the meanings of "revolting" ("rebelling" and "disgusting"). The Peasants Are Revolting (1971), by…