Joe Taxpayer or John Taxpayer (Jane Taxpayer)
"Joe Taxpayer" or "John Taxpayer" (also "Jane Taxpayer") is a generic name for a citizen who pays taxes. "John Taxpayer" is cited in print since 1920 and…
S’more (Some-more)
"S'more" (or "some-more") is a popular Girl Scout dish of toasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiches between two graham crackers. "'Kabobs' and…
OTM (Other Than Mexican)
The Border Patrol on the United States-Mexican border have called a (usually illegal) immigrant not from Mexico as an "OTM," or "Other Than Mexican." OTMs have usually been from…
“If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit”
"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with B.S. (bullshit)" has been printed on signs and T-shirts since at least the early 1970s. James Boren (1925-2010) and his…
“You can’t con a con man”
"You can't con a con man/artist" is sometimes used in political arguments. The cynical premise is that all politicians are con men (or women), so that one can't easily con them.…
“You can’t BS a BSer” (“You can’t bullshit a bullshitter”)
"You can't BS a BSer" ("You can't bullshit a bullshitter") is sometimes used in political arguments. The cynical premise is that all politicians are BSers, so that one…
“People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do”
"Men/People may doubt what you say, but they will (always) believe what you do" means that actions count for more than just talk. The saying has been credited to American military officer…
“You only get paid for done”
"You (only) get paid for done" is a saying popularized by personal trainer and performance coach Dax Moy. "You only get paid for done" means that you get paid for results…
“When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”
"When (two) elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers" is an East African proverb, cited in English since at least the 1910s. In the 1960s, Kenyan leader Jomo Kenyatta (1894-1978) and…
“Three D’s” or “Five D’s” of Auctions/Foreclosures (Death, Disease, Drugs, Divorce, Denial)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google News Archive14 August 1986, St. Petersburg (FL) Evening Independent, "Firms helps brokerages make sales," pg. 10A, col. 1:Suppose you are a client who…
Pulse Loan
A "pulse loan" is a loan given to anyone with a pulse. It's sometimes said that banks so dearly wanted to make mortgages (and collect mortgage fees) that the banks would give a loan…
Heartbeat Loan
A "heartbeat loan" is a loan given to anyone with a heartbeat. It's sometimes said that banks so dearly wanted to make mortgages (and collect mortgage fees) that the banks would give…
Fedzilla (federal government + Godzilla)
"Fedzilla" (federal + Godzilla) is a term for an out-of-control, monster big government. American hard rock musician and conservative critic Ted Nugent has used the name…
Traitorcrat (traitor + bureaucrat/Democrat)
"Traitorcrat” could be a form of the words “traitor” and “bureaucrat,” but usage usually refers to a “Democrat.” Users of “traitorcrat” have claimed that the Democrats…
Gonorrhea Lectim or GonorrheaLectim (Gonna re-elect ‘em)
"Gonorrhea" is a common sexually transmitted disease. "Gonorrhea Lectim" or "GonorrheaLectim" ("gonna re-elect 'em") is seen by some as a common…
“I’m leaving office to spend more time with my family” (political scandal excuse)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google News Archive30 July 1976, Ottawa (Canada) Citizen, "Nobody beats Mel: How the Bad Boy of the appliance business became 'greatest promoter in the…
Flash Crash
A "flash crash" is a sudden stock market decline. This can be triggered by computer selling, turning a small stock market drop into a crash in just a matter of minutes. The May 6, 2010…
“Tight as a tick” (said of a close election)
A close political election is often said to be "tight as a tick." Television broadcast journalist Dan Rather (who frequently uses Texas expressions generally unknown to most of his…
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves”
"A nation/society of sheep will beget a government of wolves" is often credited to American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow (1909-1965). The saying means that the electorate cannot…
Presstitute (press + prostitute)
"Presstitute" (press + prostitute) describes a member of the press who lets other considerations get in the way of reporting the truth. Sometimes "soft" reporting occurs because…