Demosclerosis (democracy + sclerosis)
The term "demosclerosis" (democracy + sclerosis) was coined by Jonathan Rauch in his article "Demosclerosis" in the September 5, 1992 National Journal, followed by his book,…
Eurocrat (Euro/European + bureaucrat)
"Eurocrat" or "eurocrat" (Euro/European + bureaucrat) was first used in 1961 to designate officials in the European Economic Community (Common Market). Members of the Euopean…
Europocalypse (Euro/Europe + apocalypse)
"Europocalypse" (Euro/Europe + apocalypse) means the financial collapse of Europe, especially the countries using the euro as the official currency. "Europocalypse" has been…
Premium Support (health insurance)
The "premium support" plan to reform Medicare was outlined by Henry Aaron, an economist at the Brookings institution, and Robert Reischauer, president of the Urban Institute, in their…
“It isn’t sex that wrecks these players, it’s staying up all night looking for it”
New York Yankees and New York Mets baseball manager Casey Stengel (1890-1975) was supposedly asked by a reporter if he allowed his players to have sex before a ball game, responding: "It…
“No man escapes when freedom fails, the best men rot in filthy jails…”
Hiram Mann. a New York City attorney who died at age 83 in 1955, had these lines published in the Wall Street Journal in 1947: No man escapes When freedom fails,The best men rot in filthy jails;…
Banxodus (bank + exodus)
The "banxodus" (bank + exodus), or Bank Transfer Day, was planned for November 5, 2011 by the BoldProgressives (Progressive Change Campaign Committee) and their website Banxodus.org,…
“Everybody makes mistakes—that’s why they put erasers on pencils”
"Everybody makes mistakes -- that's why they put erasers on pencils" (or "that's why pencils have erasers") is a saying that dates to at least 1915. The saying is used…
“Together Everyone Achieves More” (TEAM)
"Together Everyone Achieves More" is a popular backronym (backward acronym) of the word "team." The inspirational "team" acronym has been cited in print since at least…
“Finish last in medical school and they call you ‘doctor’” (Texas basketball coach Abe Lemons)
College basketball coach Abe Lemons (1922-2002) is credited with saying: "I'm sure I'd rather be something else. You know what they call the guy who finishes last in medical school?…
“Teamwork: The fuel that produces uncommon results in common people”
Popular motivational posters contain this saying: "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational…
“Tradition never graduates”
"Tradition never graduates" (or "tradition doesn't graduate") is a saying used by many successful school sports programs. The students graduate, but the tradition of…
Occupocalypse (Occupy Wall Street + apocalypse)
The "Occupocalypse" (Occupy Wall Street + apocalypse) is an infrequently used name for the Occupy Wall Street protests. A caller to the Jeff Ward Show on Newsradio KLBJ (Austin, TX)…
Window Dressing
Financial "window dressing" occurs when money managers try to improve their performance at the end of a quarter or year, so that financial statements look better. Some "window…
Fall Classic (baseball’s World Series)
"Fall classic" is another name for baseball's World Series that takes place in October. The name "fall classic" has been cited in print since at least July 1914. Wikipedia:…
Soft Despotism
"Despotism (or "hard despotism") is life under a rule of a single entity with absolute power. In a democracy, the majority can install "big government" and create a…
Soft Tyranny
The term "soft tyranny" was popularized by conservative radio talk show host Mark Levin, author of the best-selling book Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (2009). A "hard…
“Eat foods that spoil (just eat them before they do)”
"Eat foods that spoil (just eat them before they do)" means that ones should eat fresh food, not food that is overly processed for a long shelf life. Fruits and vegetables spoil. The…
Ticker-tape Parade
New York City is known for its "ticker-tape parades," usually on the "Avenue of Heroes" (Fifth Avenue) or on the "Canyon of Heroes" (Broadway in Lower Manhattan).…
Congressmoron (Congressman + moron)
Congressmoron (Congressman + moron) is a term used by those who don't have a high regard for members of Congress. The term "Congressmoron" has been cited in print since at least…