“There’s no bad publicity except an obituary”
One theory about publicity holds that "all publicity is good publicity" and that there is no such thing as bad publicity; the only bad thing is no publicity. Irish writer Brendan Behan…
“My dad was the town drunk. Usually that’s not so bad, but New York City?”
Henny Youngman (1906-1998), a comedian known as the "king of the one-liners," grew up in New York City. One of his popular one-liners was: "My dad was the town drunk. Usually…
Eurhopium (Euro/Europe + hopium)
"Eurhopium" is a financial word coined by the blog Zero Hedge on August 22, 2012. The word "Eurhopium" is a portmanteau of the words euro (the European Union currency) or Europe…
“Drive-in banking was invented so cars could go in and see their real owners”
The first bank drive up window has been credited to the Grand National Bank of St. Louis, MO, in 1930. The November 22, 1959 Family Weekly included a quote by Thomas J. Mullen: "You know why…
“I went to school to become a wit—only got halfway through”
A half-wit is a foolish or imbecilic person. "I went to school to become a wit -- only got halfway through" is a jocular saying that has been cited in print since at least 1999 and is of…
“Don’t pray in my school and I won’t think in your church”
"Don't pray in my school and I won't think in your church" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. The popular saying against…
“I love to go to Washington—if only to be near my money”
"I love to go to Washington -- if only to be near my money" was said by the comedian and actor Bob Hope (1903-2003) in the late 1940s and was popularized in the Reader's Digest.…
Gold’s Little Brother (silver nickname)
Silver has been called "gold's little brother" because it's much cheaper than gold. The silver nickname of "gold's little brother" has been cited in print since…
“We’re doomed—doomed, I tell you!”
"We're doomed -- doomed, I tell you!" is a clichéd line that might be told about a financial panic by a financial Dr. Doom. Joseph Conrad's 1904 novel, Nostromo, contained the…
Nabe (a neighborhood)
Entry in progress -- B.P. [This entry includes the research of Ben Zimmer that was posted on the American Dialect Society list.] (Oxford English Dictionary)nabe, n. and adj.Etymology: Representing…
Silver, Wine, Art and Gold (SWAG backronym)
"Silver, Wine, Art and Gold" form the backronym (back-acronym) for the word "swag." SWAG (2011), a book by Joe Roseman, both coined and popularized the term. Roseman argues that…
“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age”
"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age" (or "...but forgets her age") is a jocular saying that has been cited in print…
“The backup quarterback is the most popular player on a (losing) team”
"The backup quarterback is the most popular player on a (losing) team" (or "the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town") is a popular football saying. When a team is…
“Seconds count— especially when dieting”
"Seconds count -- especially when (you're) dieting" is a pun upon the word “seconds” (meaning “second helpings” or “second servings"). The jocular saying has been…
“Forbidden fruit creates many jams”
"Forbidden fruit" refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. "Forbidden fruit creates many jams" has been a roadside…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst because they are sticking to their diet”
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" is from the New Testament, Matthew 5:6. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they…
“Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life”
"Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life" (or, "In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips") is a saying that has been printed on several gift items.…
“The jawbone of an ass is just as dangerous a weapon today as in Sampson’s time”
The story of Samson is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, Book of Judges chapters 13 to 16. God gave Samson supernatural strength and he slew the Philistines with only the jawbone of an ass.…
“No bees, no honey; no work, no money”
"No bees, no honey" (Neque mel, neque apes) is a Latin phrase that means that, according to Erasmus (1466-1536), "every convenience hath its concomitant inconvenience." A…
“No one ever drowned in sweat”
"No one ever drowned in sweat" is a popular sports/exercise/work saying that has usually been attributed since the 1980s to college football coach Lou Holtz (born in 1937), but Holtz…