“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…
“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…