Abovetexas (Oklahoma nickname)
The People's Cube blog, on October 18, 2013, posted the satirical story, "Oklahoma to change name to Abovetexas." The term "Oklahoma" is not politically correct, but…
“A termite walks into a bar and asks, ‘Is the bar tender here?’” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." One of the oldest and most popular of bar jokes is: "A termite walks into a bar and…
Any Body Can Dance (“ABCD” backronym)
"ABCD (Any Body Can Dance)" is a saying that is becoming increasing popular in dance. ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2013) was the title of an Indian film. ABCD: Any Body Can Dance (2003) was…
Brooklynification
"Brooklynification" is a term that means an area is being gentrified and is suddenly hip and multi-cultured, like the borough of Brooklyn since the 1990s. "Burlington is currently in…
“Never trust a skinny ice cream man”
"Never trust a skinny ice cream maker" was said by Ben Cohen (co-founder of Ben & Jerry's) from at least 1991. The popular version of the quote is the slightly incorrect…
Over For America (Organizing For America or OFA nickname)
Barack Obama's organization for his presidential run in 2008 was called 'Obama For America" (OFA). When Obama became president in January 2009, the organization was renamed…
“Vinegar (wine’s angry brother)”
The novelist Tom Bobbins wrote in his book Villa Incognito (2003): "The mystery of mayonnaise—and others besides Dickie Goldwire have surely puzzled over this—is how egg yolks, vegetable…
“Five percent of people think, ten percent of people think they think”
American inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931) is often credited for saying: “Five percent of the people think, ten percent of the people think they think, and the other eighty-five percent would…
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" has often been credited to Winston Churchill (1874-1965), but The Churchill Centre has determined that the saying is…
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one”
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one" is a quotation from American author Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) that appeared in print in 1901.…
“Romance is the icing, but love is the cake”
"Romance is the icing, but love is the cake" has been cited in print since at least 2000. Authorship of the saying is unknown. American chef and television personality Julia Child…
“Knocking on the door” (close to a score)
A football team that is "knocking on the door" of a touchdown has the ball deep into the opponent's territory, usually within the 20-yard line or the 10-yard line. The…
Glitch
A "glitch" is problem (such as a computer "bug"), usually involving technology. The Oxford English Dictionary states "etymology unknown." Merriam-Webster and the…
“A gathering of baboons is called a congress”
"A group of baboons is called a congress" is a "fact" that became popular on the Internet by about 1999. A group of baboons is usually called a "troop" and a large…
Father And Mother I Love You (“family” backronym)
A popular backronym (back acronym) of the word "family" is "Father And Mother I Love You." "We must always remember the true meaning of FAMILY: Father And Mother, I Love…
Big Brother Corporation (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 "Big Brother…
No Boys Allowed (National Basketball Association or NBA nickname)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) sometimes has players direct from high school (without playing college basketball), but it's a professional league and players must grow up fast to…
Department of Homeland Stupidity (Department of Homeland Security or DHS nickname)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, on New York City and Washington, DC. The DHS nickname of "Department of Homeland…
Colostomy Pie (Frito Pie nickname)
Frito pie is made with Fritos corn chip and chili; cheese, onions and tomatoes are often added. In New Mexico, Frito pie is served right in the Fritos bag. Anthony Bourdain, host of CNN's…