Red Diaper Baby (child of Communists)
A "red diaper baby" is a child of Communist parents (and one who presumably inherits their political leanings). Barack Obama was called the "red diaper baby president."…
Jock Tax
A player for the New York Yankees who lives in New York CIty, for example, pays New York taxes. However, when the Yankees visit Chicago to play the White Sox, that player might be liable for…
“Government is like fire; when controlled, it warms you”
"Government is like (a) fire" is a quotation frequently credited to George Washington (1732-1799), but there's no evidence that he said it. "Government is like a fire, which if…
EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony awards)
"EGOT" is an acronym that stands for Emmy Award (television), Grammy Award (recording arts), Oscar (motion pictures) and Tony Award (theatre). Only a very few people have won all four…
“I always start my diet on the same day—tomorrow”
"I always start my diet on the same day -- tomorrow" is a jocular one-liner about people who never do start a diet. "I always start my diet on the same day: tomorrow" was cited…
Bear O’Clock (bear + beer o’clock)
"Bear o'clock" (bear + beer o'clock) means that it's time to be a financial bear (a pessimist on the financial markets). The term "bear o'clock" was coined…
“My bank account needs month-to-month resuscitation”
"My bank account needs month-to-month resuscitation" (a pun on "mouth-to-mouth resuscitation") is a jocular one-liner that has been printed on bumper stickers. "The way my…
“Going broke safely”
"Going broke safely" (or "go broke safely") refers to an investment -- such as a certificate of deposit from a bank -- that keeps the principal of the investment safe, but grows…
Beer O’Clock
"Beer o'clock" means that it's time to drink beer. This can be a set time (after work, for example), or any time. "Beer o'clock" has been cited in print since at…
Wine O’Clock
"Wine o'clock" is any time that is appropriate for drinking wine. It could be a set time of the day (such as 6 o'clock or 8 o'clock) or it could be any time. "Wine…
Playcation (play + vacatinn)
"Playcation" (play + vacation) became a popular term -- following "staycation" -- the financial crisis of 2008. Maxine Maesinger (1925-2001), the "Big City Beat"…
Sloppy Dog (sloppy joe + hot dog)
A "sloppy dog" (sloppy joe + hot dog) is a hot dog with sloppy joe sauce. "Sloppy joe hot dogs" was cited in print in 1958. "Sloppy dogs" was cited in print in 1972.…
“That makes as much sense as government cheese”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Government cheeseGovernment cheese is processed cheese that was provided to welfare, food stamp recipients and the elderly receiving Social Security in the…
Hipsturbia (hipster +suburbia)
"Hipsturbia" (hipster + suburbia) was popularized in the New York (NY) Times on February 18, 2013, in "Creating Hipsturbia" by Alex Williams. Hipsters in places such as…
Bridgegate (George Washington Bridge lane closures)
The George Washington Bridge had lane closures in September 2013 that caused major traffic problems. The lanes weren't closed because of a traffic accident or because of construction; it was…
Snowplowgate or Snowgate or Plowgate
"Snowplowgate" and "snowgate" and "plowgate" are used to describe a scandal ("-gate" is from the Watergate scandal in 1970s Washington, DC) where snow is not…
Lee Harvey [lastname] (crime patsy nickname)
Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963) was the accused lone assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, although Oswald called himself a patsy and said that he never shot anyone.…
“Steel prices cause inflation like wet sidewalks cause rain”
"Prices cause inflation like wet sidewalks cause rain" was said by United States Steel Corporation CEO Roger Blough (1904-1985) in January 1966; ""Steel prices cause inflation…
FBLie (FBI + lie)
"FBLie" (FBI + lie) is a neologism used by those who believe that the Federal Bureau of Investigation often doesn't tell the truth. "FBLie" has been cited in print since at…
“Steal a little and they throw you in jail; steal a lot and they make you king”
It's an old adage that small crimes get punished, but large crimes often go unpunished (or are even rewarded). Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953) wrote in the play The Emperor Jones (1920):…