“You’re only as good as your second serve” (tennis adage)
"You're only as good as your second serve" is a popular tennis adage. There are two chances for a player to get a serve into the proper court; a player often tries a hard serve the…
“Pace makes the race” (horse racing adage)
"Pace makes the race" is a frequently used horse racing adage. A fast pace might help some horses, while a slower pace might help other kinds of horses. The saying "pace makes the…
Government Motors (General Motors or GM nickname)
General Motors (GM) is an automotive company headquartered in Detroit; New York City's General Motors Building is at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan. In 2009, GM filed for Chapter 11…
“Don’t compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative”
"Don’t compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative" is a political saying meaning that no candidate is perfect (like the Almighty), but he or she -- however flawed --…
“Buckle up your guts”
Alan K. Simpson, a Wyoming U.S. senator from 1979-1997, co-chaired President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform with Erskine Bowles (leading to the more familiar…
“There are three good reasons to be a teacher: June, July and August”
"There are three good reasons to be a teacher: June, July and August" is an old joke about the teaching profession, perhaps outdated for teachers who work in June. "Three good…
“If you want it bad, you will get it bad”
"If you want it bad, you (will) get it bad" means that if you want something "bad" (quickly) without the time to do it right, you will get it "bad" (poorly done). The…
Gentleman’s C
The grade of "C" is often seen as a middling grade, earned by someone who gets by but does not excel. The term "gentleman's mark" for the grade "C" has been cited…
Grexit (Greece/Greek + exit)
"Grexit" (Greece/Greek + exit) is a word created to define a possible Greek exit from the eurozone. The term was coined in February 2012 by Citigroup economists Willem Buiter and Ebrahim…
“You are your child’s first teacher”
"You are your child's first teacher" is a saying that emphasizes the parents' role in education. The saying was popularized as the title of a bestselling book, You Are Your…
Czechxas (Czech + Texas)
Texas has long had a heritage of Czech immigrants. Foods, such as the kolache, are part of the Czech legacy in the state. The name "Czechxas" (Czech + Texas) has been put on T-shirts and…
Pay Every Penny to Save Israel (false Pepsi etymology)
Pepsi is a cola company that was formed in 1898; the product was named "Pepsi-Cola" in 1903. The name "Pepsi" comes from the digestive enzyme "pepsin." In 2000,…
Yes Man
A "yes-man" (or "yes man") is someone who always agrees with a boss and simply follows orders. The term was popularized by Freeman Tilden (1883-1980), who wrote "The…
Newsweak (Newsweek nickname)
Newsweek is a weekly news magazine that began in 1933 and is located in New York City. In November 2010, Newsweek merged with the website The Daily Beast. The obvious Newsweek nickname of Newsweek…
Lapdog Media and Watchdog Media
"Watchdog" media monitor the practices of business and government; "lapdog" media are servile and unquestioning of business and government. "Watchdog media" has been…
“Auto racing, bullfighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports—all others are games”
"Auto racing, bullfighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports -- all others are games" has been credited to the author Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) since the 1980s, but…
“Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”
"Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser" is a famous sports saying, used in many sports. 'Show me a good and gracious loser and I'll show you a failure" is…
“Work is for people who don’t know how to fish”
"Work is for people/those who don't know how to fish/golf" is a popular saying that has been printed on gift items such as T-shirts and posters. Both "fish" and…
“I may be fat, but you’re ugly and I can diet”
"I may be fat, but you're ugly and I can diet" is a humorous saying that's been printed on gift items such as T-shirts, buttons and coffee mugs. The saying is similar to an…
“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”
"Nothing tastes as good as (being) skinny/thin feels" is a popular saying that has been printed on gift items such as T-shirts and posters. "Nothing tastes as good as thin…