“The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running”
"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong."Ecclesiastes, Ch. 9, v. 11 'The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running" is a…
“My sport is your sport’s punishment” (cross-country running aphorism)
"My sport is your sport's punishment" is a popular T-shirt saying worn by many runners. When football players (for example) get into trouble, the coach often has them run laps as…
“Did you ever notice that there are no recipes for leftover chocolate?”
"Did you ever notice that there are no recipes for leftover chocolate?" is a jocular saying that has been placed on T-shirts and wall plaque signs. "There is no recipe for leftover…
“Nothing new on race day” (running adage)
"Nothing new on race day" is a popular adage among marathon runners and triathletes. Everything should be tried and tested on long training runs. A new diet or new gear should not be…
“Summer miles bring autumn smiles” (running adage)
"Summer miles bring autumn smiles" is a popular running adage, especially among high school and college cross country runners. The miles student-runners log during the summer often result…
“You can’t out-exercise a bad diet”
"You can't out-exercise a bad/poor diet" means that if one's diet is poor, then exercise will not overcome that. "We all know that it is very difficult to out-exercise a…
Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Systemically important financial institutionSystemically important financial institutions (SIFI) are financial institutions that are deemed systemically…
“Get fit to play sports — don’t play sports to get fit”
"Get fit to play sports -- don't play sports to get fit" (or "Get in shape to play sports -- don't play sports to get in shape") is a frequently cited sports and…
“I love deadlines; I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by”
"I love deadlines; I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by" is usually credited to the English writer Douglas Adams (1952-2001), best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to…
“Can’t rub two nickels together” (poor)
A person who "can't rub two pennies/nickels/dimes/quarters/dollars together" is a person who doesn't have much money. "Not in a position to rub two pennies together"…
“East end of a horse going west” (a horse’s ass)
"East end of a horse going west" (a horse's ass) is on many Internet lists of Southern expressions. "East end of a horse going westward" has been cited in print since at…
“Raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock”
"Raining like a (tall) cow pissing on a flat rock" is a popular expression in Texas and other southern states. The expression is similar to "raining cats and dogs," meaning a…
Citiot (city + idiot)
A "citiot" (city + idiot) is someone from the city (most commonly New York City) who spends time in the country or in a summer residence. The term "citiot" is very popular in…
“Working with academics is like herding cats” (education adage)
"Working with academics is like herding cats" is a T-shirt slogan that is popular in the education field, although "herding cats" has a longer history. According to the 2003…
Texas Fifth (half-gallon of liquor)
A "fifth" is a 750 ml bottle of liquor; a "Texas fifth" is a half-gallon or 1.75 liter bottle. The term "Texas fifth" (based on the principle that…
“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…