“A lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math”
It's long been known that the odds of a person winning the lottery are not good; a person stands more of a chance of being struck by lightning. The saying "A lottery is a tax on people…
Gothamist (inhabitant of Gotham)
A "Gothamist" is an inhabitant of Gotham, a town in Nottinghamshire, England. "Gotham" was applied to New York City by Washington Irving and others in Salmagundi; or The…
Gothamite (inhabitant of Gotham)
A "Gothamite" is an inhabitant of Gotham, a town in Nottinghamshire, England. "Gotham" was applied to New York City by Washington Irving and others in Salmagundi; or The…
Balloon Juice (seltzer or soda water)
"Balloon juice" in diner lingo means seltzer or carbonated soda water. The carbonation fills one up, like a blown balloon. The term "balloon juice" has been cited in print since…
Adam and Eve on a raft (poached eggs on toast)
"Adam and Eve" in diner lingo means an order of two eggs. The term "Adam and Eve" has been cited in print since at least 1891 and might have originated in an eating…
“The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer”
“The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer" was a popular slogan of United States armed forces in World War II, cited from 1942. The saying appears to have been…
Oldest Profession (prostitution)
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) wrote in the short story "On the City Wall" (1888): "Lalun is a member of the most ancient profession in the world." In the 1890s, Kipling was being…
“Winners have parties, losers have meetings”
"Winners have parties, losers have meetings" has been a motto (since at least 2001) of Sam Chisholm, a media executive in Australia and the United Kingdom. Meetings are often held be…
“The illegal we do immediately; the unconstitutional takes a little longer”
Henry Kissinger was the U.S. National Security Advisor (January 20, 1969 – November 3, 1975) and Secretary of State (September 22, 1973 – January 20, 1977). The October 28, 1973 New York (NY)…
“Hospitals don’t have patients; doctors have patients and hospitals have doctors”
"Hospitals don't have patients; doctors have patients and hospitals have doctors" (or "Hospitals don't have patients, physicians/doctors do") was said by Dr. Paul…
“How about that!” (Yankee announcer Mel Allen catchphrase)
"How about that!" was the catchphrase of Mel Allen (1913-1996), the sports announcer who was called the "Voice of the Yankees." Allen's 1996 New York (NY) Times obituary…
“Going…going…gone!” (baseball home run call)
"Going...going...gone!" was the signature home run call of New York Yankees announcer Mel Allen (1913-1996). "Going, going, gone!" has been cited in print since at least 1780…
“The bases are F.O.B. (full of Brooklyns)”
"The bases are F.O.B. (full of Brooklyns)" was a catchphrase of Brooklyn Dodger announcer Red Barber (1908-1992), meaning that there were Dodgers standing on first base, second base and…
“Kick save and a beauty!” (great save by the goalie in hockey)
"Kick save -- and a beauty!" was a catchphrase of longtime New York Rangers hockey announcer Marv Albert, meaning that the goalie just made a great save with his foot. "Stick save --…
Glass Ceiling
The "glass ceiling" is an invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from rising higher up the corporate ladder; thosethat do are said to "shatter the glass ceiling."…
Marble Ceiling
When Nancy Pelosi would become the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives following new Democratic control of the House after the November 2006 elections, she said: "When my…
“Swish!” (basketball term)
Marty Glickman (1917-2001) was the first radio announcer for basketball's New York Knickerbockers in 1946. Glickman heard the Knicks players say "Swish!" as a basketball went…
New Castrati
"New castrati" is a term used mostly by conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh has used the term since at least February 2006. Rush Limbaugh defined the "new…
Three-Day Town (Three-Day City)
British journalist James Cameron (1911-1985) was asked if he could come to New York City for an interview. He wrote in 1966: "Naturally I jumped at it: I love short trips to New York; to me it…
“He stops, pops and it drops” (basketball phrase)
"He stops. pops, and it drops" is a basketball announcer's call for a player taking and making a jump shot. The Albert brothers (Marv Albert, Al Albert and Steve Albert) all…