Department of Paperwork
The "Department of Paperwork" is a nickname for any department of government that requires piles of often-meaningless paperwork. Such deparments in the United States government might…
“I grew up surrounded by poverty—my maid was poor, my butler was poor ...” (joke)
An old joke describes a rich person who claims to have grown up surrounded by poverty -- the maid was poor, the butler was poor, the chauffeur was poor and the gardener was poor. The joke dates to…
British Bullshit Corporation (British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC nickname)
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is a channel that is available on many cable systems around the world. The BBC has been given the backronym (back acronym) of "British Bullshit…
Milkaholic
A "milkaholic" (milk + -aholic, related to "alcoholic") is a person who is addicted to drinking milk. "Our daughter, age two, is a 'milkaholic'" was cited in…
“If actors are having fun, the audience will have fun, too” (theatre adage)
"If actors are having fun, the audience will have fun, too" is a theatre and film adage of uncertain origin. "The actors are having fun playing their parts and because of their…
“Throw nickels like manhole covers” (stingy)
To "throw nickels like manhole covers" is not to throw nickels at all. (Manhole covers are heavy and are almsot impossible to throw.) The saying implies that a person is stingy with…
British Brainwashing Corporation (British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC nickname)
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is a channel that is available on many cable systems around the world. The BBC has been given the backronym (back acronym) of "British Brainwashing…
“I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you have earned”
American economist and political philosopher Thomas Sowell wrote in a syndicated newspaper column in May 1994: "I have never understood why it is "greed" to want to keep the money…
“‘Need’ now means wanting someone else’s money; ‘greed’ means keeping your own”
AMerican journalist and writer Joe Sobran (1946-2010) wrote in The Economics of Liberty (1990); In the current political vocabulary, 'need' means wanting to get someone else's money.…
“‘Moderate Republican’—that’s kind of like having a gun rack on a Volvo”
"'Moderate Republican' -- that's kind of like having a gun rack on a Volvo" (also, "'Compassionate Conservative -- that's kind of like having a gun rack on a…
“Can’t hit the broad side of a barn” (baseball saying)
A marksman who "can't hit the broad side (broadside) of a barn" is a very poor marksman. "You can't hit the broadside of a barn!" was cited in print in 1852. The idiom…
“Cricket is basically baseball on Valium”
"Cricket is basically baseball on Valium" is a line attributed to American comedian Robin Williams (1951-2014) at a performance at the London Palladium on December 5, 1987. Williams did…
Bay Breeze (cocktail)
A "Bay Breeze" cocktail is comosed of vodka, cranberry juice and pineapple juice. "Bay Breeze" has been cited in print since at least 1985; the drink has also been called a…
Sea Breeze (cocktail)
"Sea Breeze" or "Seabreeze" has been the name of many drinks. "Sea Breeze Thirst Quencher" was cited in 1915. A Sea Breeze cocktail of grenadine, brandy, gin and lemon…
Cape Codder (cocktail)
Ocean Spray (an agriculutral cooperative headquartered in Massachusetts) produced cranberry juice drinks starting in 1930. Pierre's restaurant (52 East 53rd Street in Manhattan) was cited in…
“The last three outs are different” (baseball adage)
"The final/last three outs are different (from the previous 24 outs)" is a baseball adage. The three outs in the ninth inning could be the end of a game. Unlike the beginning of the game,…
“If you don’t take money, they can’t tell you what to do”
American photographer Bill Cunningham, best known for his work in the New York (NY) Times, was hired in 1982 by Details, an American men's monthly fashion magazine. He didn't like what he…
Now Spying on Americans (National Security Agency or NSA nickname)
The National Security Agency was formed in 1962 to improve foreign intelligence within the United States government. The NSA's intelligence gathering is limited to foreign communications, but…
“I wouldn’t start from here” (joke)
An old joke is told about a big city motorist who is lost in the countryside. He asks a local how to get to a big city. (Various cities have been named in the joke.) The local tries to give him…
“Trust your neighbor, but brand your cattle”
"Trust your neighbor, but brand your cattle/calves/cows" (or "Trust everyone, but brand your cattle") is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts. The…