“Get big, get niche or get out” (business adage)
"Get big, get niche or get out" is a popular saying in the information technology (IT) industry, particularly in the UK. The saying means that a business can survive by "getting…
“Water separates the people of the world, wine unites them”
"Water separates the people of the world, wine unites them" (or, "wine brings them/people together") is a saying of unknown origin that has been cited in print since at least…
“Hear it now, watch it tonight, read about it tomorrow” (radio-television-newspaper adage)
"Hear it now/today, see/watch it tonight, read (about) it tomorrow" was a popular radio saying. Radio allowed people to "hear it now/today," or people could "see/watch it…
“Dieting is the triumph of mind over platter”
"Dieting is the triumph of mind over platter" is a pun on "mind over matter." The old diet joke has been cited in print since at least 1933-34. 1 June 1933, Riverside (CA) Daily…
Gasoline-on-a-Stick (Texas trees and wildfires)
Texas trees have been called "gasoline-on-a-stick" because of the potential of trees to spread wildfires. In 2011, cedar trees in central Texas were dubbed "gasoline-on-a-stick"…
“If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country”
"If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country" is a joke featured in many sports and exercise joke lists, often incorrectly attributed to comedian Steven…
“Condense soup, not books”
"Condense soup, not books" is a slogan that has been used on gift items such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. John T. Dorrance (1873-1930) of the Campbell's Soup Company invented…
Dijon Vu (dijon mustard + deja vu)
"Dijon vu" (dijon mustard + deja vu) is a jocular formation meaning "the same mustard as before." The term "dijon vu" has been infrequently used and is rarely spoken,…
“Democracy is mob rule (but with income taxes)”
"Democracy is mob rule" was not said by the founding fathers of the United States, although they did make similar critical comments about pure democracy. "Democracy is nothing more…
“It’s not hard to meet expenses—they’re everywhere”
"It's not hard to meet expenses -- they're everywhere" is a joke on the double meaning of the word "meet" ("to see" expenses and "to satisfy"…
“I’m having an out-of-money experience”
"I'm having an out-of-money experience" (a pun on "out-of-body" experience) is a popular expression on gift items such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. "I'm…
“Indecision is the key to flexibility”
"Indecision is the key to flexibiity" (less often given as "Flexibility is the key to indecision") has been featured on gift items such as T-shirts. The saying humorously…
“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary”
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary" is a saying that dates to at least 1953. The saying means that work leads to success; success doesn't come without…
“If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm”
"If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm" is an old sports saying attributed to Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) in 1968.…
Origin of “Tar Heel” (North Carolina nickname) - summary
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Tar HeelTar Heel (or Tarheel) is a nickname applied to the state and inhabitants of North Carolina as well as the nickname of the University of North Carolina…
Origin of “Jayhawk” (Kansas nickname) - summary
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: JayhawkerJayhawkers is a term that came to prominence just before the American Civil War in Bleeding Kansas, where it was adopted by militant bands affiliated…
Kakistocracy
"Kakistocracy" is from the Greek kakistos (worst) and means a government by the worst men. The word "kakistocracy" is not found in ancient Greek and was coined as an opposite…
“If stupidity got us into this mess, why can’t it get us out?”
"If stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?" is a silly saying that doesn't fully make sense -- getting out of a mess is different than getting into one. The…
Ineptocracy (inept + democracy)
"Ineptocracy" (inept + democracy) has been given a popular definition on many websites and images since at least October 2011: Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc’-Ra-cy) - a system of government…
“If you don’t take care of your customers, someone else will”
"If you don't take care of your customers, someone else will" is a business saying that has been popular since at least the 1980s. The origin of the saying is unknown. Management…