Christocrat (Christian + -ocrat)
The term "Christocrat" (Christian + -ocrat) has been used in Texas since at least 1994 and was popularized by the September 2006 profile of David Barton in Texas Monthly titled "King…
Republitard (Republican + retard)
"Republitard" (Republican + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political left against the political right. "Republitard" has been cited in print since April 2002. Similar…
“You can’t legislate morality/common sense/prosperity”
Legislation has its limits, and it has long been known that legislation alone cannot change the innate character of citizens. "You can neither legislate a man into virtue nor vice" was…
“Don’t mistake activity for achievement”
Professor Mabel Newcomer (1892-1983) told her Vassar freshman class in September 1935: "You are the generation about to come into control and must prepare for this responsibility. Do not fill…
“A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch”
"A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch" is a popular saying among people who aren't fond of consultants. Advertising executive…
“Everyone thinks politicians are corrupt, except the ones they vote for”
"Everyone thinks politicians are corrupt, except the ones they vote for" (or "Every politician is corrupt except mine" or "Every Congressman is corrupt except mine")…
Mumblecore
"Mumblecore" films have low budgets, unknown actors and often improvised scripts, with the actors seemingly mumbling their lines. Sound editor Eric Masunaga coined the term while at…
“Every reporter is a hope; every editor is a disappointment”
Newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) is credited with saying in 1899: "Every reporter is a hope and every editor is a disappointment." Pulitzer (the Pulitzer prizes are named…
“If you’re not catching flak, you’re not over the target”
"Flak" (anti-aircraft fire) became a widely used term during World War II. "If you're not catching flak, you're not over the target" (or "If you're catching…
“Don’t let your mouth write checks your body can’t cash”
"Don't let your mouth write a check (or "checks") your body (or "ass") can't cash" has been used in black English since at least the 1960s. Comedian Flip…
“The governor proposes and the legislature disposes”
"Man proposes, (but) God disposes" is an old proverb, indicating that God is the final arbiter of proposals. "The governor proposes and the legislature disposes" is a state…
“Never trust a skinny chef”
"Never trust a skinny chef" (or "Never trust a skinny cook") is a saying that has been printed on many images. The implication is that a skinny chef doesn't eat much of his…
“The people get the government they deserve”
Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) wrote in 1811: "Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle merite." ("Every nation has the government it deserves.") De Maistre was credited with…
“Communism is the opiate of the intellectuals”
Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote in 1843: "It (religion -- ed.) is the opium of the people." The quotation is often given as: "Religion is the opium/opiate of the masses/people."…
“Unsustainable is the new normal” (“Fiscal crisis is the new normal”)
The United States entered a fiscal crisis in 2007-2008, with both the federal government and most states deeply in debt. In January 2010, Stephen Goldsmith, a professor at the John F. Kennedy…
“Tomorrow Happens Here” (SXSW slogan)
"Tomorrow Happens Here" has been the non-trademarked slogan of Austin's SXSW (South by Southwest) festival since 2009. SXSW contains a music festival, a film festival and interactive…
“Goodnight, Austin, Texas, wherever you are”
“Goodnight, Austin, Texas, wherever you are" is a line credited to musician Frank Zappa (1940-1993), during an Austin concert at the Armadillo World Headquarters on May 20-21, 1975. The line…
“Free Crabs Tomorrow” (Joe’s Crab Shack)
"Free Crabs Tomorrow" has been a slogan of Joe's Crab Shack (a Texas-based chain restaurant) since 1991. No free crabs have been served because "tomorrow" never comes.…
“If something cannot go on forever, it will stop” (Stein’s Law)
Economist Herbert Stein (1916-1999) wrote in 1986: "But if it can't go on forever it will stop. And if we never do anything that we can't go on doing forever we will never do very…
“In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current”
The Youth's Companion (a popular American children's magazine) published this anonymous line in 1891: "Either as wife, sister, husband or brother, if you would have a happy family…