Good Enough Diploma (“GED” backronym)
General Education Development (GED) tests offer an opportunity for a student to achieve a Certificate of High School Equivalency. The comedian Chris Rock wrote in his book Rock This! (1997):…
“Politicians like to cut ribbons, but they don’t like to sweep brooms”
"Politicians like to cut ribbons, but they don't like to sweep brooms" means that politicians like the ribbon-cutting ceremonies on large capital projects, but they don't like…
Royal Bank of Swindlers (Royal Bank of Scotland or RBS nickname)
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was formed in 1727; its U.S. branch is the Citizens Financial Group (Citizens Bank). The RBS nickname of “Royal Bank of Swindlers" has been cited in print…
Now You’re Unemployed (New York University or NYU nickname)
New York University (NYU) is a private university in New York City that was founded in 1831. A popular backronym (back acronym) of NYU has the letters stand for "Now You're…
Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks (NASCAR nickname)
NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. A popular backronym (back acronym) of NASCAR used by non-fans of the sport is "Non Athletic Sport Centered Around…
“Save a cow—eat a vegetarian”
"Save a cow -- eat a vegetarian" is a jocular saying that's been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, bumper stickers and posters. The saying is a meat eater's answer…
“What if the Hokey-Pokey really is what it’s all about?”
The Hokey-Pokey dance has the singer explain to the dancers: "You put your (leg/arm) in, you put your (leg/arm) out, you put your (leg/arm) in and you shake it all about. You do the…
Honku (honk + hailku)
A "honku" (honk + haiku) is a haiku of anti-honking verses. A haiku is a three-line poem of 17 syllables, in phrases of 5 syllables, then 7 syllables, and then 5 syllables. Aaron…
“The drunker I sit here the longer I get” (“Starkle, starkle little twink”)
"The drunker I sit here the longer I get" is some seemingly drunken nonsense that has been printed on gift items, such as T-shirts and beer mugs. The saying began as a final verse added…
“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind”
Entry in progress -- B.P. 19 November 1996, Denver (CO) Post, pg. A2:Sez who: "The problem with the whole world is that everyone is a few drinks behind." - Humphrey Bogart Google BooksA…
“There’s too much month left at the end of the money”
"There's too much month left at the end of the money" is a jocular saying, the reverse of having money left at the end of the month. "In opulent America, on the other hand, we…
“Even if you are one in a million, there are eight more of you in New York”
The expression "you're one in a million" means that a person is very special; a literal calculation of a million people is not intended. There is an expression "even if…
Gordie Howe Hat Trick (one goal, one assist and one fight)
A "hat trick" in ice hockey is when a player scores three goals in one game. Gordie Howe (1928-2016) played professional hockey from 1946–1971 and then from 1973–1980; he was known…
“Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need”
"Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need for half the distance they planned to go in twice the time it should take" is a jocular…
“I have a weight problem—I can’t wait to eat”
"I have a weight problem -- I can't wait to eat!" is a pun that has been printed on T-shirts. "I've got a weight problem -- I can't wait to eat!" has been cited…
“If God dwells inside us, I hope He likes enchiladas, because that’s what He’s getting”
"If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas because that's what He's getting" was written by Jack Handey in Deeper Thoughts (1993), a sequel…
“Every great oak was once a little nut that held its ground”
"Great oaks from little acorns grow" is an old English proverb. "Every great oak was once a little nut that held its ground" is a modern take on the proverb, meaning that a…
Stepford Media
The book The Stepford Wives (1972) by Ira Levin was made into films in 1975 and 2004. The housewives in the novel's idyllic Connecticut neighborhood of Stepford were replaced by…
“Drama—what literature does at night”
American drama critic George Jean Nathan (1882-1958) wrote in Testament of a Critic (1931): "Drama. -- What literature does at night." This short definition of drama has been frequently…
“My other car is a Porsche” (bumper sticker)
"My other car is a [very expensive car]" is a saying that has been printed on many bumper stickers and license plate frames and put on cheap old cars. "My Other Car Is a…