“Never let your money get mad”
"Don't/Never let your money get mad" is a favored saying of oilman and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. "One of Jones' pet phrases is: 'Never let your money get…
“If you can smile when things go wrong, then you have someone in mind to blame”
"If you can smile when things go wrong, then you have someone in mind to blame" is a jocular saying that has been printed on posters. "The man who can smile when things go wrong has…
“Hire teenagers now, while they still know everything”
"Hire a teenager while they still know everything" is a popular sign. Ann Landers gave advice in July 1967, "Confidential to Sick of Bossy Parents: So why don't you get out on…
“Why is there only one Monopolies Commission?” (joke)
"Why is there only one Monopolies Commission?" is a joke that appears to have started in the United Kingdom in 1978 (the Google Books date might be incorrect) or in 1981. Conservative…
“Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others”
"Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others" is a saying that has been printed on a demotivational poster. "It's possible that your…
“The brave don’t live forever, but the cautious don’t live at all”
"The brave don't live forever/long, but the cautious don't live at all" (or "Brave men don't live forever...") is a saying that has been printed on posters. The…
“He squeezes a quarter so tight the eagle screams” (he’s cheap)
Many versions of the U.S. quarter --as well as other coins -- have an eagle on one side. Someone who doesn't like to spend money is said to "squeeze a quarter so tight the eagle…
“He squeezes a nickel so tight the Indian cries” (he’s cheap)
The "Buffalo nickel" or "Indian Head nickel" is a U.S. five-cent piece with a buffalo design on one side and an Indian head design on the other; the coin was minted from 1913 to…
“Tighter than the skin on a grape”
"Tighter than the skin on a grape" means very tight, such as someone tight with money or a tight sporting contest. "Tighter than the skin on a grape" has been cited in print…
“Hotter than donut grease” (very hot)
Someone who is "hotter than donut/doughnut grease" is someone who is very attractive (or "hot"). The expression is also used for someone on a hot streak, and for hot weather.…
“You’re so dumb, you think Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company” (joke)
An old joke tells of a person who is so dumb (or stupid) that he or she thinks Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company. "And if you believe that, you probably also think Taco Bell is a Mexican…
Mulligan Stew
Entry in progress -- B,P,[This entry was prepared with research assistance of Sam Clements of the American Dialect Society listserv and the Early Sports and Pop Culture History Blog.] Wikipedia:…
“Swapping the witch for the bitch” (trading one addiction for another one)
"Swapping the witch for the bitch" means trading one addiction for another addiction. For example, one might give up using illegal drugs ("the witch"), but start drinking…
“The bond market is smarter than the stock market”
"The bond market is smarter than the stock market" is a popular financial saying. The bond market has more institutional investors and the stock market has more individual (and…
“Treat new plays like classics and classics like new plays”
London's Royal Court Theatre stages many new plays along with a few classics. It's been said that the Royal Court "treats new plays like classics and classics like new plays."…
“2 teach is 2 touch a life 4 ever”
A popular saying about teaching (based on 2+2=4) is: 2 teach is2 touch a life----4 ever The saying has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and mugs. "2 teach is 2 touch…
“The best camera is the one that’s with you” (photography adage)
"The best camera is the one that's with you" is the title of a 2010 book by photographer Chase Jarvis, but Jarvis popularized an old photography adage and did not coin the saying.…
“Two faces and a ball” (sports photography rule)
"Two faces and a ball" is a sports photography rule; a good sports shot usually shows an offensive player, the ball, and a defensive player. The shot is also better if the players'…
“Don’t agonize, organize”
"Don't agonize, organize" was a 1970s slogan of the women's movement, specifically the older women's movement for civil rights. Both Florynce Kennedy (1916-2000) and Tish…
“If you see the play happen, you have missed the picture” (sports photography adage)
"If you see the play happen, you have missed the picture" (or "If you see the action, you missed it") is a sports photography adage. A sports photographer must know the sport…