“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
To "pull oneself up by one's bootstraps" means to succeed without outside help. "Over the Cumberland river or a barn yard fence by the straps of his boots" was cited in…
“No one ever says ‘It’s only a game’ when their team is winning”
"No one ever says 'It's only a game' when their team is winning" is a humorous saying indicating that winning -- even winning meaningless exhibition games -- gives a…
Restaurateuse (female restaurateur)
A "restaurateur" is a person who runs a restaurant; the term is neither masculine nor feminine. A "restaurateur" who is a woman is frequently called a "restaurateuse,"…
“To err is human; to blame it on someone else shows management potential”
"To err is human; to forgive, divine" was written by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) in "An Essay on Criticism" (1711). The line is famous and has many parodies. "To err is…
“If at first you don’t succeed, try management”
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" is a popular American poem verse from the 1830s. The verse has many joke endings that replace "try, try again." "If at…
“On the table” (something negotiable or for discussion)
In business, an offer or a proposal that is "on the (bargaining) table" is one that is under consideration or discussion. "To lay that proposal on the table" has been cited in…
“Bring to the table” (to contribute something)
The expression "bring something to the table" possibly originated with people bringing food to the dinner table. During collective bargaining, both management and labor are said to…
“Off the table” (something non-negotiable)
In collective bargaining, when management or labor takes something "off the (bargaining) table," it's no longer to be considered for discussion. "Taken off the bargaining…
“Under the table” (secretly or covertly, often said of a payment)
A deal or a payment made "under the table" is one made secretly or covertly. The phrase "under the table" might come from card playing and gambling, but some liquor during…
Food Security (Food Insecurity)
The terms "food security" and "food insecurity" were popularized in the early 1970s. The U.S. Congress published a report titled World Food Security (1973) and the Food and…
“‘Latte’ is French for ‘you paid too much for that coffee’”
"Latte' is French/Italian/Latin for 'you paid too much for that/your coffee'" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and…
“There’s too much blood in my caffeine system”
"There's too much blood in my caffeine system" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and coffee mugs. The saying has been cited in…
“If you plant corn, you get corn” (proverb)
"If you plant corn, you get corn" is a proverb that means "you reap what you sow." The proverb is based on the New Testament's Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is…
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance”
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is a Chinese proverb credited to philosopher Laozi (604 B.C.-531 B.C.). "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash…
No Fan Loyalty (National Football League or NFL nickname)
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league, headquartered in New York City. The NFL has been dubbed "No Fan Loyalty" since at least 1995, when several…
No Fun League (National Football League or NFL nickname)
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league, headquartered in New York City. The NFL has been dubbed the "No Fun League" by those who believe that NFL…
Not For Long (National Football League or NFL nickname)
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league, headquartered in New York City. In 1988, Houston Oilers head coach Jerry Glanville said to an NFL official (video is…
“Big-time players make big-time plays in big games”
"Big time players make big (time) plays in big (time) games" is a popular sports saying. The saying means that sports superstar players prove their greatness by making great plays in…
Great Mistake of 1898 (Brooklyn view of New York City unification)
New York City was consolidated in 1898; Brooklyn went from a city to just one of five boroughs. Many Brooklynities were against the consolidation and called it the "Great Mistake of…
“It’s hard to beat a team three times in one season” (sports adage)
"It's hard to beat a team three times in one season" is a sports adage that appears to have started in basketball, but is used in some other sports as well. Scholastic teams often…