“Wait an hour after eating before going swimming”
"Wait an hour after eating before going swimming" is a popular swimming safety adage. The idea behind the adage is that food should be fully digested before a person starts to swim, and…
“We don’t swim in your toilet, so don’t pee in our pool” (swimming pool adage)
"We/I don't swim in your toilet, so don't pee/piss in our/my pool" is a sign at many pools, both public and private. "I don't swim in your toilet, so please don't…
“Doing God’s work” (investment banking joke)
Lloyd Blankfein, the CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs, told the Times of London in a November 2009 interview that he was just a banker "doing God's work." The line was meant as a…
“You can train hard or you can train long, but you can’t do both”
"You can train hard or you can train long, but you can't do both" is a popular exercise adage. The bodybuilder Mike Mentzer (1951-2001) had heavy duty training that, in 1982, was…
Spokes-idiot (spokesman/spokesperson + idiot)
"Spokes-idiot" or "spokesidiot" (spokesman/spokesperson + idiot) is a term used by those who believe that a spokesperson is making nonsensical points. The…
“There is no such thing as a good tax”
'There is no such thing as a good tax" is a popular anti-tax saying; Oklahoma Senator Thomas Gore (1870-1949) said in 1935 that "all taxes are, at best, necessary evils and…
“The Eiffel Tower is the Empire State Building after taxes”
"The Eiffel Tower is the Empire State Building after taxes” was supposedly said by an American during a visit to France in 1950 or 1951. New York's Empire State Building was then the…
Savile Row (bespoke tailoring in NoHo/Nolita/West Village)
Savile Row is a shopping street in central London famous for its traditional men's bespoke tailoring. An April 12, 2012 article on the Business Insider website was titled "A Bespoke…
“I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I’ve lost is fourteen days”
New York City-born comedian Joe E. Lewis (1902-1971) told syndicated entertainment columnist Earl Wilson in June 1957 that he had sworn off drinking and heavy eating. "In 14 days," Lewis…
“A diet is when you watch what you eat and wish you could eat what you watch”
Dieters are often told to "watch what you eat." Leonard Lyons' syndicated newspaper column "The Lyons Den" reported in May 1973 that the comic actress Hermione Gingold…
“I’m a light eater; when it gets light, I start eating”
"I'm a light eater; when it gets light, I start eating" is a joke that has been attributed to baseball pitcher Tommy John, baseball coach Tommy Lasorda and football defensive tackle…
Jersey Lightning (cocktail; punch)
"Jersey lightning" is applejack; a "Jersey Lightning Cocktail" is applejack brandy and vermouth. "Jersey lightning" has been cited in print since at least 1843 and the…
“To die for” (an excellent food dish)
"To die for" means something that is so desirable that it is worth the ultimate sacrifice; the saying is usually made in jest. A new car or a foreign vacation or a house might be "to…
Mouthfeel
"Mouthfeel" (also "mouth-feel" or "mouth feel") describes the texture and sensation of food or drink in the mouth. The term "mouthfeel" has been used by food…
Farm Fresh
"Farm fresh" (or "farm-fresh") has long been a clichéd food phrase; farms grow food and no one advertises anything except "fresh." The image (in such terms as…
Jersey Lightning
"Jersey lightning" is a slang name for strong applejack (originally a product of New Jersey). New Jersey has been known for its applejack since at least the 1700s. The term "Jersey…
“Sex sells” (advertising adage)
"Sex sells (products)" is an old advertising adage. Attractive actors might help sell a movie or a play to the public. Attractive people in advertisements catch the eye, sometimes luring…
Taxmageddon (tax + Armageddon)
"Taxmageddon" (tax + Armageddon) is a time when tax rates will increase to very high levels to pay for existing debts. The word "taxmageddon" has been cited in print since at…
Volleyball (Volley Ball)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: VolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other…
“Bump, set, spike” (volleyball axiom)
"Bump, set, spike" is a volleyball axiom for setting up a powerful volleyball return. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1974, when it was the title of a book, Bump, Set,…