“If you put root beer in a square cup, does it become beer?” (joke)
A math joke is told about square roots and root beer. "If you put root beer in a square glass do you get beer?" was cited on Twitter on May 15, 2012. "If you put root beer in a…
“You can make anything out of lignin, except money”
Lignin is a complex polymer derived from wood. Lignin can be used to make many products -- at great cost, however. Science has attempted new solutions to bring the cost of lignin down so that its…
“How do you get a lawyer out of a tree?” (lawyer joke)
One popular lawyer joke hints at the lynch law: Q: How do you get a lawyer out of a tree?A: Cut the rope. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1993. Google BooksGreat Lawyer Stories:…
“To conquer a nation, first disarm its citizens”
"To conquer a nation, first diarm its citizens" was credited to Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) in 1933 (when he became chancellor of Germany) as cited on Twitter on June 15, 2012. There is no…
Losership (loser + leadership)
"Losership" (loser + leadership) is a term used when someone is critical of the leadership (such as Democratic or Republican political leadership). "Losership" (loser +…
“Black and proud” (“I’m black and I’m proud”)
"Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud" (1968), a funk song written and performed by James Brown (1933-2006), popularized the saying "black and proud." "I'm…
“Gay and proud” (“I’m gay and I’m proud”)
"Gay and proud" is a gay slogan that appears to have started in New York City in 1969 and 1970. "Say it loud, gay and proud!" was a chant during the Stonewall riots at the…
“The best players win MVPs; the best teams win championships”
"The best players win Most Valuable Player awards; the best teams win championships" is a popular saying in many sports. It's not known who first said it. "The best players win…
“Better blatant than latent” (gay slogan)
"Better blatant than latent" is a gay slogan that has been printed on many items, such as posters, mugs and pins. "Better blatant than latent!" was a slogan used in Gay Pride…
“What do you have when you have a lawyer buried up to his neck in sand? (lawyer joke)
One of the most popular of lawyer jokes is: Q. What do you have when you have a lawyer buried up to his neck in sand?A. Not enough sand. The joke has been told since at least the mid-1980s. Other…
“How do you save a drowning lawyer?” (lawyer joke)
The drowning lawyer (or lawyers) joke has been one of the most popular of lawyer jokes. A simple form was cited in print in 1984: "'Know how to save a drowning lawyer?' --…
“The score is still 0-0—you haven’t missed anything” (joke)
An old joke is about a young couple arriving very late to a baseball game. The man asks for the score and is told that it's still 0-0. The woman then declares, "Good! We haven't…
“Conservatives believe life begins at conception and ends at birth”
Barney Frank, a Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts, said in 1981 that, for the Reagan administration and the Moral Majority, "’life begins at conception and ends at birth." The…
Raging Moderate
"Raging moderate" is a political term that appears to be an oxymoron. Tennessee Senator Al Gore, Jr. was running for the Democratic presidential nomination in April 1987 when he described…
“We have to find the people who did this—they need help!” (joke about liberals)
According to a popular joke, two psychiatrists (or two liberals) pass by a man who was just attacked and left bleeding in a ditch. One says to the other, "We must find the people who did this!…
“If you want something in the paper, that’s advertising; you want something kept out, that’s news”
"Whatever a man wants published is advertising; whatever he wants kept out of the paper is news" is an old newspaper saying of unknown authorship. The following appears to have been…
“Throw away the fish, eat the plank” (joke)
Carp is not a fish that many people choose to eat. A jocular recipe details a long preparation, ending, "throw away the fish and eat the board/plank/shingle. This is said to be the best part…
Studs and Duds (player acquisition strategy)
"Studs and duds" is a player acquisition strategy that is especially popular in constructing fantasy sports teams. A few high-priced "studs" are acquired, and then low-priced…
Stars and Scrubs (player acquisition strategy)
"Stars and scrubs" is a player acquisition strategy that is especially popular in constructing fantasy sports teams. A few high-priced "stars" are acquired, and then low-priced…
“If you don’t believe in random sampling, go to the doctor for a blood test, have him take it all”
Random sampling" is done by many polling organizations, such as those that conduct political polls. Some people believe that the sample size is small and that it doesn't reflect the…