“Stop repeat offenders—don’t re-elect them”
"Stop repeat offenders -- don't re-elect them” is a saying that has been printed on gift items such as bumper stickers and T-shirts since at least 1998. The authorship of the saying is…
“Sure you can trust the government—just ask an Indian”
"Sure you can trust the government -- just ask an Indian" is a saying that has been printed on gift items such as bumper stickers and T-shirts since at least 1998. The authorship of the…
Secret Circus (Secret Service nickname)
The United States Secret Service has a U.S. Treasury function and is also responsible for protecting national leaders and their families. In April 2012, in advance of President Obama's…
Silent Service (United States Postal Inspection Service or USPIS nickname)
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) remains little-known, even though it claims an origin back to 1772 and colonial Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin. The USPIS investigates all…
“No Irish need apply”
"No Irish need apply" (NINA) was sometimes added to the job descriptions of the 19th century. The job was usually for a woman to help with housework, but Irish women did, in fact, take…
Trainwreck (Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or TNRCC nickname)
The Texas Air Control Board (1965-1993) and the Texas Water Commission (1985-1993) were consolidated in 1993 to form the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). "TNRCC"…
“I’ve been thrown out of better places than this!”
"I've been thrown out of better places/joints/bars/restaurants/hotels than this!" is a humorous saying by someone getting removed from a location. Ferenc Molnár's popular…
“Heads in beds” (hospitality saying)
"Heads in beds" is hospitality industry lingo meaning occupied hotel and motel rooms. Tourist boards representing a city's hospitality industry try to attract visitors to the city…
New York Times-Democrat (New York Times nickname)
The New York (NY) Times is a daily newspaper that has been published in New York City since 1851. Although the newspaper's motto is "All the news that's fit to print,"…
Charm Offensive
The political term "charm offensive" probably borrows from the earlier political term "peace offensive," meaning an active movement (or "offensive") aimed at achieving…
Uncle Scam (Uncle Sam + scam)
"Uncle Scam" (Uncle Sam + scam) is an Uncle Sam nickname used by people who believe that the federal government is deceitful. Although the name "Uncle Sam" dates to 1812, the…
“Punch above one’s weight” (boxing metaphor)
In boxing, there are weight classes so that boxers never "punch above their weight." In a street fight, however, a little man must "punch above his weight" to defeat a bigger…
“Finger-lickin’ good”
"Finger-lickin' good" is the popular slogan of KFC restaurants (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken). "Finger licking" food is so good that one would rather lick…
“The camera doesn’t lie” (“The camera never lies”)
'The camera doesn't lie" (or "the camera never lies") means that photographic evidence shows what something actually looks like. The old saying has been used since the…
“The camera adds ten pounds” (film and television adage)
"The camera adds ten pounds" is an old film and television adage that is still held by many. Camera angles and colors can make one to appear fatter or thinner. "The motion-picture…
“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” (sports adage)
How old should one be to play professional sports? The saying is "if you're good enough, you're old enough." When Major League Soccer's D.C. United signed 14-year-old…
“Play the ball and don’t let the ball play you” (baseball adage)
"Play the ball and don’t let the ball play you" has been popular baseball fielding advice since at least 1902. If you "let the ball play you" by sitting back and waiting for…
Realville (a town in the real world)
"Realville" isn't any actual city or town, but it's an expression for a place that exists "in the real world" and has real world problems. Politicians and economists…
“Kill for show and pass for dough” (handball/racquetball adage)
"Kill for show and pass for dough" is a saying that has been used in handball since at least 1999 and in racquetball since at least 2000. A "kill shot" contacts the front wall…
Nationalized Public Radio (NPR or National Public Radio nickname)
NPR (formerly National Public Radio) is funded, in part, with taxpayer dollars. Conservative and libertarian groups often insist that government has no role in funding a radio network. The NPR…