Mockingbird Media
Operation Mockingbird began in the 1950s as a secret Central Intelligence Agency effort to propagandize both foreign and domestic media. A 1970s Congressional investigation revealed that Operation…
“When the Fed taps on the brakes, somebody goes through the windshield”
"When the Fed taps on the brakes, somebody goes through the windshield" means that when the Federal Reserve tightens the money supply (figuratively "tapping" or…
“Slow as molasses in January”
Molasses flows slowly, but it flows even more slowly when a tree is cold or frozen (such as in the winter month of January). The expression "slow as (cold) molasses" has been cited in…
Potato Sticks
Potato sticks look like small french fries and taste like potato chips; they're made with "shoestring" (also called "matchstick") potatoes. Potato sticks have been sold in…
Matchstick Potatoes (Matchstick Fries)
A matchstick is a short and narrow piece of material (usually wood); food, such as carrots, is often cut up into small slices that resemble matchsticks. "Matchstick potatoes" are slender…
Shoestring Potatoes (Shoestring Fries)
"Shoestring potatoes" (or "shoe string potatoes" or "shoe-string potatoes") are long and slender potatoes that are deep fried. The potatoes literally look like…
Potato Wedges
Potato wedges are large unpeeled wedges of potatoes cut lengthwise, baked or fried, and seasoned with salt, pepper and spices. The origin of potato wedges is not known, but the availability of…
Jo Jo Potatoes (JoJo Potatoes)
"Jo Jo potatoes" (or "Jo-Jo potatoes" or "JoJo potatoes" or "JoJos," also lower-case "jojos") are potato wedges. They are large unpeeled wedges of…
DLTDHYOTWO (Don’t Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out)
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out" is a sarcastic expression said to someone in business or in politics who is leaving business or politics. A spring door can hit someone in…
“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it”
Congressional Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the 2010 Legislative Conference for National Association of Counties on March 9, 2010 and discussed the healthcare bill: “You’ve heard about the…
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!" is the motto of the fictional Dillon Panthers football team of East Dillon High School, as featured in the first episode (October 3, 2006) of…
“The higher the hair, the closer to God”
Recording artist k. d. lang said in 1989: "If there's one thing to be learned in Nashville it's thing: The higher the hair, the closer to God." The saying (also given as…
“If dumb were dirt, you would be about an acre”
"If dumb were dirt, you would be about an acre" is said be some to be a Texas expression; Texas certainly has lots of dirt. Variants of the saying include "you would cover about an…
Jalapiña (drink)
"Jala-Piña Cocktail" is cited from at least 2006 and usually contains a pineapple, silver tequila, fresh lime juice, sugar, a small jalapeño, ice and pineapple wedges. Juicebox in…
Filibuster
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: FilibusterA filibuster (also known as talking out a bill) is a type of parliamentary procedure. Specifically, it is a form of obstruction in a legislature or…
Gubberment (Gubbermint)
"Gubberment" has been a black dialect word for "government" since at least 1813. "Gubbermint" has been cited in print since at least 1925.…
Goobermint (Gooberment)
"Goober" entered the English language from Africa in the early 1800s as another way to say "peanut." By the mid-19th century, "goober" meant an idiot or a fool or a…
“There oughta be a law!”
"There Oughta Be a Law!" was a newspaper cartoon by Al Fagaly and Harry Shorten that ran from 1946 until artist Fagaly's death in 1963. "There oughta be a law!" became a…
Panzarotti (Panzerotti)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Italian foods similar and often confused with panzarotti include the calzone, stromboli and hippie roll/eppie roll. Wikipedia: PanzarottiPanzarotti or panzerotti are…
Stromboli
Entry in progress -- B.P. Italian foods similar and often confused with the stromboli include the calzone, hippie roll/eppie roll and panzarotti/panzerotti. Wikipedia: Stromboli (food)Stromboli is…