“It pays to advertise” (advertising adage)
"It pays to advertise" is a saying that appeared in many 19th century newspapers, often ending "in/with the (newspaper name)." The slogan was developed because many businesses…
“Every day is a school day” (education adage)
"Every day is a school day" means the same thing as "you learn something new every day." The saying is often associated with "the world is a/my/our classroom/school,"…
“God helps those whom God has helped”
"God helps those who help themselves" is an old proverb (not in the Bible, as many assume) that means that God rewards people who help themselves by their hard labors. "God helps…
Currency of Last Resort (gold nickname)
Gold has been called the "currency of last resort." When people lose faith in governments and their fiat currencies, they buy and trade in gold. "Gold is a currency of last…
“Show up, keep up and shut up” (golf caddy adage)
"Show up, keep up and shut up" is often said to be the job of a professional golf caddy. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1992. The professional golfer Curtis Strange is…
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” (waste management’s “three Rs”)
"Reduce, reuse, recycle" are the famous "three Rs" of waste management. The slogan of "reduce, reuse and recycle" has been cited in print since at least February 1971,…
“Happy employees make for happy customers”
"Happy employees make (for) happy customers" is a popular adage in the hospitality industry (such as hotels and restaurants). J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott hotel chain,…
“Employees don’t leave their company, they leave their boss” (People leave managers, not companies)
"Employees/People don't leave their job/company/organization, they leave their boss" is a popular saying to explain why people leave their jobs. A bad boss is a more important factor…
“Posting and toasting” (basketball terminology)
"Posting and toasting" is a basketball term popularized by Walt Frazier, a New York Knicks player and later a color commentator for the team. To "post up" in basketball means to…
Thugs and Sexual Assailants (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. New airport scanners…
“Earth first! (we’ll log the other planets later)”
The radical environmental advocacy group Earth First! formed in 1980. A popular anti-Earth First! bumper sticker is, "Earth First! (we'll log/mine/strip mine the other planets…
“If you can’t stand behind our troops, stand in front of them”
"If you can't/don't stand behind our troops, (feel free to) stand in front of them" is a patriotic saying that has been put on gift items such as bumper stickers and T-shirts.…
“Professional courtesy” (lawyer joke)
"Professional courtesy" in the punchline to one of the most famous of lawyer jokes. A lawyer fell into shark-infested waters, but wasn't harmed because of "professional…
“Republicans want a leader; Democrats want a meeting”
MSNBC news host Chris Matthews said in October 2007, "Republicans want a leader! The Democrats always want a meeting." That is, the Republicans want a leader who makes the decisions for…
“If I ever need a heart transplant, I want a Republican’s heart—it’s never been used” (joke)
An old political joke told by Democrats such as Lyndon Johnson, Walter Mondale and Ted Kennedy has a person needing a heart transplant being offered three different hearts -- the heart of someone…
“A party in my tummy”
"Party in My Tummy" is a song that was on the August 20, 2007 premiere of the children's television show Yo Gabba Gabba! The song shows foods that the tummy loves, creating a party…
“A party in your mouth” (a taste sensation)
A "party in my/your mouth" is a food or a combination of foods that create a taste sensation (usually a positive one). The flavors seemingly contain all the excitement of a party.…
Press Corpse (obituary-writing press corps nickname)
Newspaper obituaries of notable people are usually written in advance of their deaths, allowing for quick and accurate publication. The name "press corps" -- the last word is pronounced…
“There are two sides to every story—and then there’s the truth”
"There are two sides to every story" is a very old proverb; the Greek writer Aesop (620-564 BCE) in the fable "The Mule" wrote that "every truth has two sides." For an…
“Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit” (boxing adage)
"Everyone has a plan/strategy until they've been hit/punched (in the face/mouth)" is a boxing adage meaning that brutal reality can change even the best of prepared plans. A similar…