“It takes ten years to become an overnight success”
An entertainment hit could make any performer an "overnight success," but the performer usually had struggled many years to achieve that success. "It takes 10/20 years to become an…
Knork (knife + fork)
A "knork" (pronounced "nork") is a combination of a "knife" and a "fork." The utensil name "knork" has been cited in print since at least 1987 and…
“Leadership is not driving the train, it’s laying the track”
"Leadership is not driving the train, it's laying the track" is an adage about leadership that became popular in 2013-14. "Always remember you're not driving the train.…
“Bad traders don’t make profits — they only take out short-term loans from the market”
"Bad traders don't make profits — they only take out short-term loans from the market" is a Wall Street saying, meaning that a bad trader will give bad any profits in short order.…
Mom Wine (Mommy Wine)
"Mom wine" (or "mommy wine") is any wine that is consumed by mothers. The term became popularized in April and May 2011, when MommyJuice and Mommy's Time Out had a…
“When any nation mistrusts its citizens with guns it is sending a clear message”
George Washington (1732-1799) is often credited with saying: "When a nation mistrusts its citizens with guns it is it sending a clear message. It no longer trusts its citizens because such a…
“Any writing problem is a reporting problem”
"Any writing problem is a reporting problem" is a journalism adage. If a reporter is having a problem writing a story, it's probably because of inadequate reporting (not enough…
Gourmaise (gourmet + mayonnaise)
"Gourmaise" (gourmet + mayonnaise) has been used as the name of several trademarked products. McCormick & Co. had a trademark (now expired) on "Gourmaise" in 1971.…
School of No (PS 106, Far Rockaway, Queens nickname)
P.S. 106 in Far Rockaway, Queens,holds classes for students through grade six. The New York (NY) Post dubbed PS 106 the "School of No" because it had no books, no gym classes and no art…
“Water flows uphill toward money”
Water usually follows gravity and flows downhill. "Water flows uphill to/toward/towards money" is a jocular saying popular where water is scarce, such as in California, Arizona and Texas.…
“Put the biscuit in the basket” (put the hockey puck in the net)
"Put the biscuit in the basket" is hockey slang that means to put the puck ("biscuit") in the net ("basket") -- to score a goal. "Put that old biscuit in the…
Meteoronomics (meteorology + economics)
"Meteoronomics" (meteorology + economics) is when the weather influences economic activity. For example, a hurricane could cause economic losses. On May 29, 2014, USA TODAY tweeted:…
“No god, no peace; know god, know peace”
"No God, No Peace; Know God, Know Peace" ia a statement that has appeared on many signs, "Seen on an automobile bumper sticker: No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace" was cited…
“Know guns, no crime; no guns, know crime” (“No guns, no freedom; know guns, know freedom”)
"No god, no peace; know god, know peace" has been cited in print since at least 1976. Many gun sayings have a similar formula. "No Guns - No Freedom; Know Guns - Know Freedom"…
“Sell the problem, not the solution” (advertising adage)
"Sell the problem, not the solution" is a popular advertising adage. A potential customer must first realize that he or she has a problem -- and then that potential customer will seek a…
“Cut-off low, weatherman’s woe”
"Cut-off low, weatherman's woe" was a catchphrase of Dr. George Fishbeck, a television weatherman at KABC-TV in Los Angeles, California from 1972 to 1990. A cut-off low is a low…
“The most dangerous thing about marijuana is getting caught with it”
A popular political argument is that marijuana is more or less harmless and that "the most dangerous thing about marijuana is getting caught with it." "The most dangerous thing about…
Follow One Course Until Successful (“focus” backronym)
"Follow One Course Until Successful" -- a backronym (back acronym) of the word "focus" -- is popular business advice. A business should have focus on a specific goal. American…
“You are never more than a few feet away from a rat”
"You are never more than a few feet away from a rat" is said about several big cities, but most specifically about London. "You know that wherever you are in London, you're only…
“Beware the injured golfer” (“Beware the sick golfer”)
"Beware the injured/sick golfer" is an old golfing adage. Other golfers are apt to feel sorry for this golfer -- who then destroys them on the golf course. "The Sick Golfer" was…