“Any golf course plays hard when the wind blows” (golf adage)
"But again, the old saying, any golf course plays hard when the wind blows," said golfer Fred Couples at the 2013 Masters Tournament. It's not clear how old the saying is.…
“If you want to hide something, put it in writing”
"If you want to hide something (from a Bahamian), put it in writing" has been credited to Dr. Cleveland W. Eneas (1915-1995). It is not known when he first said it, but the saying implies…
“Good goaltenders make for good coaches” (hockey adage)
"Good goaltenders make for good coaches" is a hockey adage. A good goaltender helps to win games -- making any coach look good. "Good goaltenders can make any coach look like a…
“The currency is the share price of a country”
"Think of the currency as the share price of a country" was cited in Newsweek on June 23, 2002. The analogy has become popular and has been frequently cited in the financial media.…
Rotten Row (West Broadway)
West Broadway (known as Laurens Street in the 1800s) was called "Rotten Row" since at least 1840. It was a place of dilapidated houses, crime and prostitution. Wikipedia: West…
Killer County (Kings County Hospital Center)
The Kings County Hospital Center has a Level 1 Trauma Center and gets many patients who are gunshot victims. The Kings County nickname of "Killer County" has been cited in print since at…
Queen of Avenues (Fifth Avenue)
Manhattan's Fifth Avenue has been called the "Queen of Avenues." The term "queen of avenues" (lower case) was cited in print in 1949. Jack McCarthy, a broadcaster of the…
“Breathing first, winning next”
"Breathing first, winning next" is a philosophy attributed to New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (1930-2010). In May 2004, Steinbrenner told Parade Magazine, ""Winning…
“Bonjour, y’all” (Paris, Texas greeting)
"Bonjour, Y'all" has been cited in print since at least 1966, in an editorial that described how the hot new Paris fashion was clothing from the American West. The city Paris, Texas,…
The Greatest Little Town in Texas (Ballinger slogan)
The city of Ballinger, in Runnels County, has been called "The Greatest Little Town in Texas." Ballinger was called the "greatest little town in the world" by some residents in…
“No human being is illegal”
"No human being is illegal" is a popular slogan that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, hats and buttons. "You who are so-called illegal aliens must know that no…
“Deliciously Different” (Big Red soft drink slogan)
The Big Red soft drink started in Waco, Texas, as "Sun Tang Red Cream Soda" in 1937. Since 2011, Big Red has used the slogan "Deliciously Different." Vernors ginger ale,…
“Talk. Text. Crash.” (TxDOT slogan)
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) introduced its slogan, "Talk. Text. Crash.," in April 2011 during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The slogan has also been used…
Spelling Bee (Spelling Match)
Entry in progress -- B.P. [This entry was prepared with the research assistance of Ben Zimmer,] Wikipedia: Spelling beeA spelling bee is a competition in which contestants are asked to spell words.…
Gravesender (inhabitant of Gravesend, Brooklyn)
"Gravesender” is the name of an inhabitant of Gravesend, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Gravesender” has been cited in print since at least 1839. Wikipedia: Gravesend,…
Bay Ridger (inhabitant of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)
"Bay Ridger” is the name of an inhabitant of Bay Ridge, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Bay Ridger” has been cited in print since at least 1879. An inhabitant of Bay Ridge is also…
Fort Greener (inhabitant of Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
"Fort Greener” is the name of an inhabitant of Fort Greene, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Fort Greener” has been cited in print since at least 1953. Wikipedia: Fort Greene,…
Howard Beacher (inhabitant of Howard Beach. Queens)
"Howard Beacher” is the name of an inhabitant of Howard Beach, in the borough of Queens. The name “Howard Beacher” has been cited in print since at least 1930. Wikipedia: Howard Beach,…
Ozone Parker (inhabitant of Ozone Park, Queens)
"Ozone Parker” is the name of an inhabitant of Ozone Park, in the borough of Queens. The name “Ozone Parker” has been cited in print since at least 1897. Wikipedia: Ozone Park,…
Dumboer (inhabitant of Dumbo, Brooklyn)
"Dumboer” is the name of an inhabitant of Dumbo, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Dumboer” (also often given as "DUMBOer") has been cited in print since at least 2007. An…