Taco Tuesday
"Taco Tuesday" is when an eating establishment serves tacos on Tuesday -- usually at a reduced price. "Taco Tuesday" has been cited in print since at least 1971. Taco…
“Change is inevitable—except from a vending machine”
"Change is inevitable -- except from a vending machine" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as bumper stickers and T-shirts. The saying has been cited in…
Health Sinner
A "health sinner" is a person who does not conform to the current norms for proper health, such as someone who eats the wrong foods or who doesn't get enough exercise. "Health…
“Advertising helps raise the standard of living by raising the standard of longing”
"Advertising helps raise the standard of living by raising the standard of longing" is a popular saying about advertising. The saying has been cited in print since 1955, when it was…
“An utter waste is defined as a busload of lawyers going over a cliff with three empty seats”
"The best description of 'utter waste' would be a busload of lawyers to go over a cliff with three empty seats" was said by Lamar Hunt, owner of football's Kansas City…
“The devil makes his Christmas pie of lawyers’ tongues and clerks’ fingers”
"The devil makes his Christmas pie of lawyers' tongues and clerks' fingers" is often said to be an old English proverb, but it appears to be an Italian proverb. John Florio…
“The public stayed away in droves”
American film producer Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) was known for his humorous misstatements or malapropisms that became known as "Goldwynisms." One famous "Goldwynism" was when…
“Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit”
"Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit" was said by comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) in his bestselling book
Charity Stripe (basketball free-throw line)
Basketball's foul line is called the "charity stripe" (or "charity line") because, after a player gets fouled (sometimes with a hard hit), that player gets…
“When you win, you’re an old pro; when you lose, you’re an old man”
Detroit Lions Football Hall of Fame offensive guard Lou Creekmur (1927-2009) was 30 years old in 1957 when he said: "When you win. you're an old pro; when you lose, you're an old…
“Old lawyers never die—they just lose their appeal”
"Old soldiers never die -- they just fade away” is an old saying that was popularized by General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) in his farewell address to Congress on April 19, 1951. Many…
“Don’t pay any attention to the critics—don’t even ignore them”
American film producer Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) was known for his humorous misstatements or malapropisms that became known as "Goldwynisms." One famous "Goldwynism" was when…
“Critics are the stupid who discuss the wise”
Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) wrote in the essay "What Is Art?" (1897; English translation 1898): "A friend of mine, speaking of the relation of critics to artists, half…
“Asking a writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp post how it feels about dogs”
"Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp post how it feels about dogs" was said by playwright Christopher Hampton (born in 1946) in the Sunday Times…
“Old accountants never die—they just lose their balance”
"Old soldiers never die -- they just fade away” is an old saying that was popularized by General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) in his farewell address to Congress on April 19, 1951. Many…
“An accountant is a man hired to explain that you didn’t make the money you did”
"An accountant is a man hired to explain that you didn't make the money you did" is a jocular definition of an accountant. "Accountant: A man hired to explain that you…
“Ability is what will get you to the top if the boss has no daughter”
"Ability is what will get you to the top if the boss has no daughter" is an old saying about business that is of unknown authorship. "Ambition — What will get you to the top if the…
“A gentleman is a man who can play the saxophone but doesn’t”
"A gentleman is a man who can play the saxophone/bagpipes/accordion but doesn't" is an old joke of unknown authorship. a gentleman is a man who can play a cornet but won't"…
“Critics are like eunuchs in a harem”
Irish poet and playwright Brendan Behan (1923-1964) is often credited for saying, "Critics are like eunuchs in a harem: they know how it's done, they've seen it done every day, but…
Alphabet Network (ABC nickname)
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) began in 1943 and is headquartered on Manhattan’s Upper West Side (near Lincoln Center). ABC is often called the "alphabet network" because its…