Capital of Latin America (Miami nickname)
The city of Miami, Florida, has been nicknamed the "capital of Latin America." The source of the nickname is usually credited to Ecuadorian President-elect Jaime Roldós Aguilera…
Trayvonista (Trayvon Martin + -ista)
A "Trayvonista" (Trayvon Marton + -ista, as in words such as "Sandinista" and "fashionista") is a supporter of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager who was shot and…
“Have saddle, will travel” (horse adage)
The television western Have Gun, Will Travel (1957-1963) popularized the form "have X, will travel," but the saying did appear earlier. Herb Meadow, the western's creator, said he…
Dark ‘N’ Stormy (ice cream float)
A Dark 'N' Stormy cocktail consists of Gosling's rum and ginger beer. A Dark 'N' Stormy float consists of the cocktail, plus a scoop of rum raisin ice cream. The name…
Dark ‘N’ Stormy (cocktail)
The Dark 'N' Stormy cocktail consists of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer. Gosling Brothers Limited (a Bermuda corporation) trademarked the name in 1988 -- although the drink…
Zombtree (Zombie Tree)
Hurricane Sandy, in October 2012, left many damaged and dead trees in the New York City area. Residents complained to city departments that the dead trees posed a threat of falling over or breaking…
Very Vanilla (very + vanilla)
"Vanilla" is a flavor; "vanilla" is also a slang term for something that is plain and drab. "Very Vanilla" (usually capitalized) is a flavor that seemingly promises…
“Hairy vine, no friend of mine” (poison ivy adage)
Poison ivy vines appear "hairy" and "raggy." The rhyme "Hairy rope, don't be a dope" was cited in print in 1996 and "Hairy vine, no friend of mine" in…
“Raggy rope, don’t be a dope” (poison ivy adage)
Poison ivy vines appear "hairy" and "raggy." The rhyme "Hairy rope, don't be a dope" was cited in print in 1996 and "Raggy rope, don't be a dope!"…
“Berries white, a poisonous sight” (poison ivy adage)
Poison ivy has white berries in the fall, but the harmless Virginia creeper has red berries. The rhyme "Berries white, poisonous sight! Berries red, have no dread!" has been cited in…
Bearmageddon (stock market bear + Armageddon)
Mike O'Rourke, a strategist for Jones Trading, came up with the term "bearmageddon" (stock market bear + Armageddon) in 2013. The term was popularized in two articles -- "MIKE…
Smokeout (barbecue cookout/festival)
The term "smokeout" usually refers to the American Cancer Society's "Great American Smokeout" -- a day when people are encouraged to give up smoking. The American Cancer…
Five-Tool Player (a complete baseball player)
A "five-tool" baseball player usually refers to a non-pitcher who has a complete ability to play baseball -- someone who can hit for average, hit for power, run, throw and catch. "He…
“Summer league can’t tell you who can play, only who can’t” (basketball adage)
The NBA holds summer leagues for rookies and free agents who are trying to prove themselves and get a spot on a professional basketball roster. The saying about summer league is that it…
“Leaves of five, let it thrive” or “Leaflets five, let it thrive” (vine adage)
Poison ivy has three leaves, but the harmless Virginia creeper has five leaves. The rhyme "Fingers five, let them thrive!" has been cited in print since at least 1902. "Leaflets…
“Leaves of three, let it be” or “Leaflets three, let it be” (poison ivy adage)
Poison ivy (and poison oak as well) has three leaves. "Fingers three, turn and flee" is from 1902 and "Leaves three, quickly flee" is from 1904. The rhyme "leaflets three,…
“Cautions breed cautions” (auto racing adage)
"Cautions breed cautions" is a popular saying in auto racing. The saying was explained in a message board post on July 8, 2000: "There is a saying in auto racing that 'cautions…
“Between 11 and 3 stay under a tree”
"Between 11 and 3 stay under a tree" (or "11 to 3, stay under a tree") is a rhyme about when it's best to avoid the midday sun. Australia's Cancer Council issued a…
“Power stays with a fighter for years” (boxing adage)
A boxing adage states that while speed might decrease as a fighter ages, punching power stays around longer. "I guess speed is what fades first in the old fighter. Technique and punching power…
“I never drink water; that is the stuff that rusts pipes”
The comic actor W. C. Fields (1880-1946) was known for drinking alcohol. He allegedly said that he didn't drink water because "that's the stuff that rusts pipes." Fields was…