“Right side of history” (“Wrong side of history”)
The phrase "the right side of history" was said by American lawyer Clemens J. France in 1946 and "the wrong side of history" has been cited in print since at least 1951. In…
“Home, sweet home”
"Home, Sweet Home" is the title of a song by John Howard Payne (1791-1852) in his 1823 comic opera, Clari, or the Maid of Milan (first presented at the Dramatic Repository at 214 Broadway…
“They’re not saying ‘boo,’ they’re saying ‘Lou’ (Piniella)” (sports cheer)
Lou Piniella was a New York Yankee baseball player from 1974-1984 and Yankee manager from 1986-1987 and in 1988. When he'd come up to the plate, the baseball announcers would explain about…
“Never talk about religion or politics” (etiquette rule)
A rule of etiquette --in business, at the dinner table, at the barbershop and elsewhere -- is "never talk about religion or politics." These subjects are highly contentious and usually…
“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”
"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance" is a popular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, buttons and bumper stickers. The exact wording of this…
“The Christian Right is neither”
"The Christian Right is neither" (sometimes put in quotes as "The 'Christian Right' is neither") is a slogan that has been printed on many gift items, such as…
“When you think it’s time to bury your guns, it’s really time to dig them up”
"When you think it's time to bury your guns, it's really time to dig them up" has become a popular saying in the United States among people who own guns. When a person feels the…
“Beer doesn’t make you fat, it makes you lean—against bars”
“Drinking beer doesn't make you fat, It makes you lean....against bars, tables, chairs, and poles” is an old vaudeville joke, cited in print since at least 1895. The joke is of unknown…
Fuck, I Never Actually Learned Shit (“finals” backronym)
"Fuck, I Never Actually Learned Shit" is a backronym (back-acronym) for the word "finals" that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. There is a…
Come Late And Start Sleeping (“class” backronym)
"Come Late And Start Sleeping" is a backronym (back-acronym) of the word "class" that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. "C.L.A.S.S - Come…
Six Crazy Hours Of Our Lives or Six Crappy Hours Of Our Lives (“school” backronym)
S.C.H.O.O.L = Six Crazy Hours Of Our Lives and S.C.H.O.O.L.E.D = Six Crazy Hours OF Our Lives Each Day and S.C.H.O.O.L - Six.Crap.Hours.Of.Our.Lives and S.C.H.O.O.L = Six Crappy Hours Of Our Lives…
“Becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak” (food pun)
"Becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak" (a pun on "mistake") is a popular food joke that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. "As far as…
“The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions”
The exercise joke about "jumping to conclusions" has a long history. "Logical exercise for ladies -- jumping to conclusions" has been cited in print since at least 1867.…
“If swimming is such good exercise, explain whales”
"If swimming is such good exercise, explain whales (to me)" is a joke on many websites that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. "If swimming is so good…
“Why are they called ‘apartments’ when they’re all stuck together?” (joke)
"Why are they called 'apartments' when they're all stuck together?" is a joke that has been cited in print since at least 1986 and that has become popular on the internet.…
“That’s all there is—there isn’t any more!” (Broadway curtain-call speech)
Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959) was part of an acting family and was known as one of Broadway's most famous actresses. The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is located at 243 West 47th Street in Manhattan.…
“Broadway’s a great street when you’re going up. When you’re going down — take Sixth Avenue.”
"Broadway's a great street when you're going up. When you're going down — take Sixth Avenue." This once-famous line refers to fortunes in the Broadway theatres and was…
“Show, don’t tell” (scriptwriting adage)
"Show (them), don't tell (them)" is a popular adage told to writers of all kinds, but especially drama scriptwriters. The audience must learn about a character through action and…
“You never cut funny” (scriptwriting adage)
The movie My Favorite Year (1982) was based on the Sid Caesar variety television show Your Show of Shows (1950-1954) -- a live television comedy legacy in New York City continued with Saturday…
“Eat Right. Exercise. Die Anyway.”
"Eat right, exercise, die anyway" is a popular slogan on many gift items, such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. The last line -- "die anyway" -- is the one constant; no one can…