“If it tastes good, spit it out” (diet advice)
"If it tastes good, spit it out" is old dietary advice, when so-called "health food" and "low-calorie food" frequently had little taste. The saying is of unknown…
“The trouble with staying home from work is that you have to drink coffee on your own time”
"The trouble with staying home from work is that you have to drink coffee on your own time" was credited in January 1962 to Harold Coffin (1905-1981). Coffin was a humorist who wrote…
“Some people want to check government spending and some people want to spend government checks”
"Some people want to check government spending and some people want to spend government checks" was a favorite line of Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). According to Reagan, the Republicans want…
“As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in schools”
The issue of prayer in public schools has long been debated in the United States, and the U.S. Supreme Court case of Engel v. Vitale ruled shool prayer to be unconstitutional. Several school prayer…
“Money may not buy friends, but it will help you stay in contact with your children”
"Money may not buy friends, but it will help you stay in contact with your children" has been cited in print since at least 1965. The saying was a favorite of Ronald Reagan (1911-2004).…
“Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money even to get beat with”
"Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money even to get beat with nowadays," joked humorist Will Rogers (1879-1835) in a newspaper column on June 29, 1931. The joke has has…
“Most people would be glad to tend their own business if the government would give it back”
ost people would be glad to tend/mind their own business if the government would give it back" has been cited in print since at least 1971 and is of unknown authorship. The anti-government,…
“Every time the government shifts left, the decimal point in the national debt moves to the right”
"An accountant complains that every time the government shifts to the left, the decimal points in the national debt move to the right," is cited in print since at least 1950. The saying…
“Ask an atheist who’s just had a great meal if he believes there’s a cook”
"The best reply to an atheist is to give him a good dinner and ask him if he believes there is a cook," wrote attorney and author Louis Nizer (1902-1994) on August 17, 1945, in a…
“The problem with doing nothing is that you never know when you’re finished”
"The problem with doing nothing is that you never know when you're finished" has been credited to Ben Franklin (1706-1790) and Groucho Marx (1890-1977), but there's no evidence…
International Misery Fund (International Monetary Fund or IMF nickname)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was founded in 1944-1945 and seeks to foster international development and sound monetary currencies. Some critics of the IMF maintain that its development…
International Mother Fuckers (International Monetary Fund or IMF nickname)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was founded in 1944-1945 and seeks to foster international development and sound monetary currencies. Some critics of the IMF maintain that its development…
Mediscare (Medicare + scare)
"Mediscare" or "Medi-scare" (Medicare + scare) is to frighten current or future Medicare recipients about cuts to Medicare and potential loss of medical coverage. The term…
It’s Mostly Fiscal or It’s Mainly Fiscal (International Monetary Fund or IMF nickname)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was founded in 1944-1945 and seeks to foster international development and sound monetary currencies. Some critics of the IMF claim that the it focuses too…
Imposing Misery and Famine (International Monetary Fund or IMF nickname)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was founded in 1944-1945 and seeks to foster international development and sound monetary currencies. Some critics of the IMF maintain that its development…
“When everybody gets to one side of the boat, it usually tips over”
"When everybody gets to one side of the boat, it usually tips over" is an old Wall Street saying of unknown authorship. The saying describes market panics or manias when everyone starts…
Seminar Caller
The term "seminar caller" was coined by conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh by at least July 1996. A "seminar caller" makes an "astroturfed" call to a…
Sheriff of Wall Street
"Sheriff of Wall Street" was the nickname given to Eliot Spitzer (New York State Attorney General, 1999-2006) in 2002 for his high-profile cases against Wall Street. Rudy Giuliani (U.S.…
“If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen”
"If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen" is a humorous saying that's been on bumper stickers since at least 2000. The comedian Bobby Ramsen told this joke to Parade…
Fiatsco (fiat money + fiasco)
"Fiatsco" (fiat money + fiasco) is a financial slang term used by those who don't hold much faith in the value of the U.S. dollar (paper money). The tem "fiatsco" appears…