Benchslap (judicial bench + bitchslap)
A "benchslap" (judicial bench + bitchslap) is when a judge slaps down someone (such as a lawyer, another judge or the government) orally in court or in a written judicial opinion. The…
“Eisenhower Doll—wind it up and it does nothing for eight years”
A popular joke was said by Democrats about U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (a Republican) in January 1961: "And in Washington they're laughing about the 'Eisenhower Doll.'…
Texas Chicken (ship-passing maneuver)
"Texas chicken" is a procedure that occurs when two shipping vessels face each other on a collision course -- a frequent occurrence in the Houston Ship Channel. The vessels must quickly…
“If you have one day left to live, let it be at a swim meet because they go on forever”
Swim meets have such a reputation for lasting a long time that a popular joke has been put on T-shirts: "If you have one day left to live, let it be at a swim meet because they go on…
Jimmy Award (National High School Musical Theater Award)
The Jimmy Awards are also called the National High School Musical Theater Awards. The annual award is named after James M. Nederlander, chairman of the Nederlander Organization (owner of several…
The Beautiful Game (soccer)
Brazilian soccer star eléP titled his autobiography, My Life and The Beautiful Game: The Autobiography of Pelé (1977). Pelé popularized "The Beautiful Game," but there have been some…
“I was an honor student—I don’t know what happened” (bumper sticker)
"I was an honor student -- I don't know what happened" is a popular bumper sticker. The bumper sticker is a parody of the "My child is an honor student" bumper stickers.…
“We played like never before, and lost like always”
"Jugamos como nunca, perdimos como siempre" (“We played like never before, but we lost as we always do”) is a familiar saying of Mexico's World Cup soccer teams, as well as other…
The American Dream City (Arlington, TX slogan)
The city of Arlington (TX) introduced a new slogan in June 2014 -- "The American Dream City." Bud Kennedy, of the Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram, wrote on June 25, 2014, "This time,…
“The relationship of a journalist to a politician should be that of a dog to a lamppost”
"The relationship of a journalist to a politician should be that of a dog to a lamppost" is a witty statement that is frequently credited to American journalist and critic H. L. Mencken…
“I don’t believe the liberal media”
"I don't believe the liberal media" was a slogan of the National Conservative Foundation in 1985. Later, the slogan was used by the Media Research Center (a conservative media…
Halftime Flush or Super Bowl Flush (bathroom break during halftime)
A "halftime flush" (or "Super Bowl halftime flush") is when the television viewers of a widely watched sporting event (such as the football's Super Bowl or soccer's…
“If you can shoot, you can play” (basketball adage)
Basketball requires various skills, but shooting skill is always highly regarded. "If you can shoot, you can play" is a popular basketball adage. "In Europe the first thing they tell…
“Work until your idols become your rivals”
"Work until your idols becomce your rivals" is an Internet meme that became popular in 2013. Canadian recording artist Drake's "Thank Me Now" (2010) contained the lyrics:…
Twiplomacy (Twitter + diplomacy)
"Twiplomacy" (Twitter + diplomacy) is diplomacy using Twitter, an online social networking service. "I hereby invent 'Twiplomacy' =Twitter as public diplomacy tool"…
“Accounting is the language of business”
Accounting has frequently been called "the language of business." "The language of business is figures" was cited in print in 1927. "Accounting is the language of…
“Bomb into the Stone Age” (total destruction)
To bomb a military enemy "back into the Stone Age" is to create total destruction. (The Stone Age was a primitive civilization.) Ever since atomic bombs were used in warfare in 1945,…
Mirrortocracy (mirror + meritocracy)
A "mirrortocracy" (mirror + meritocracy) is an organization that is composed of people not necessarily on merit, but of people who "mirror" others already in the organization…
Oblication (obligation + vacation)
An "oblication" (obligation + vacation) is a "vacation" that someone is "obliged" to take, such as one for family or business reasons (and not simply for pleasure).…
Bawnd (bond)
"Bawnd” is a spelling of “bond” that became popularly used on financial blogs, especially among the comments. "Stawks, Bawnds, Nasdaq, Dow Jones" was cited on Twitter on July…