“Pile it high and watch it fly” (merchandising adage)
"Pile/Stack it/them/'em high, sell it/them/'em cheap" was a motto of Jack Cohen (1898-1979), a British businessman who founded the Tesco supermarket chain. "Pile 'em…
“If you see a good move, look for a better one” (chess adage)
"If you see a good move, look for a better one" is a chess adage meaning that one should study the position and not jump at the first good thought. The saying has also been used in…
“A knight on the rim is dim” (chess adage)
"A knight on the rim is dim/grim" (or "knights on the rim are dim/grim") is a chess adage meaning that a knight on the edge of the chessboard has less mobility. Knights are more…
Specuvestor (speculator + investor)
The term "specuvestor" (speculator + investor) was coined by Lewis Owen's book, How Wall Street Doubles My Money Every Three Years (1969). An advertisement for the book explained,…
Veepstakes (Veep + sweepstakes)
"Veepstakes" (Veep + sweepstakes) is the selection contest for a vice presidential candidate. The jocular usage has been cited in print from at least 1952 and 1964, but began to be…
“Talk is cheap—gasoline is not”
"Talk is cheap -- oil/gas/gasoline is not" is a popular saying with the public and with politicians whenever they try to combat high gas prices. "Talk is cheap and oil is not"…
“If it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense”
"If it doesn't make dollars/money, it doesn't make sense" means that if something doesn't make money, then it doesn't make sense (a pun on the word "cents")…
“The audience never goes out humming the scenery” (musical theatre adage)
"The audience never goes out humming the scenery" (or, "You can't hum the scenery") means that, while a musical might have wonderful scenery, its success lies in memorable…
“Nobody likes it but the public” (Broadway saying)
"Nobody likes/liked him/it but the public" is said of an entertainer or entertainment receiving a poor critical reception, but that nevertheless draws audiences. The one-liner gently…
Administration’s Press (Associated Press or AP nickname)
The Associated Press (AP) is a news agency founded in 1846 and headquartered in New York City. The derogatory nickname of the "Administration's Press" has been cited in print since…
“John 3:16” (sports usage)
The New Testament's Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16, reads: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but…
Sweet Sixteen (sixteen remaining tournament players or teams)
"Sweet sixteen" is what the final 16 teams or players in a tournament are sometimes called. James Thornton's song, "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" (1898), helped to…
Elite Eight (eight remaining tournament players or teams)
"Elite eight" is what the final eight teams or players in a tournament are sometimes called. The term "elite eight" has been used in the Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio high school…
Final Four (four remaining tournament players or teams)
The "Final Four" are the four teams or contestants in a tournament; there are semi-final games and then the final game. The NCAA has trademarked "Final Four" for its college…
Big Dance (NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship)
The "Big Dance" (also called "March Madness") is the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. The NCAA has trademarked "Big Dance" since 2002, but "big dance"…
March Madness (NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship)
"March Madness" (also called the "Big Dance") is the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. The term is usually credited -- incorrectly -- to H. V. Porter (1891-1975), who used…
“Cooked to perfection” (“seasoned to perfection,” “grilled to perfection”)
The blog Serious Eats had a March 2012 discussion on "Overused food descriptions." The description "to perfection" was noted, as in "cooked to perfection,"…
“You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him”
"You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him" means that a sports superstar can be expected to perform well "you can't stop him"), so the secret to winning a…
“Nana’s kitchen, where memories are made and grandkids are spoiled”
"Nana's/Grandma's kitchen, where memories are made and grandkids are spoiled" is a sayingthat has been printed on many gift items that have apepared in many kitchens. The saying…
“Annoy a politician today—THINK”
"Annoy a politician today -- THINK" has been a bumper sticker slogan since at least 1995. The bumper sticker has been sold by Instant Attitudes since at least that date and the saying…