“On the fence”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionaryon the fence: in a position of neutrality or indecision The Free DictionaryIdiom: on the fence Informal Undecided as to which of two sides…
“An empty stomach is not a good political adviser”
Nobel prize-winning scientist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) told this to an Associated Press reporter in November 1930: "Reduced to a formula," he replied after a moment's reflection,…
Grape-vine or Grapevine (“I heard it through the grapevine”)
The "grapevine" (or "grape-vine") is an often-secret information network. The "grapevine" information was so unreliable that "grapevine" became synonymous…
Delish (delicious)
"Delish" is another way of saying "delicious" and has been cited in print since at least 1920. Television chef Rachael Ray has made "delish" one of her catchwords,…
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
"Chief cook and bottle washer" (sometimes "bottle-washer" or "battlewasher") is a jocular term for a person who does everything. It often describes a small operation,…
Din-din (dinner)
"Din-din" is a child's way of saying "dinner." "Din-din" is cited in print from at least 1861 and appeared first in English (and not American) publications.…
“Some like carrots, others like cabbage”
"Some like carrots, others like cabbage" is allegedly a gardening cliché to show that people have different tastes. The supposed proverb is cited in print from only 2006. A Crop of…
PMSNBC or PMS-NBC (MSNBC nickname)
The MSNBC network (headquartered in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan) has often been cited for liberal bias. The nickname "PMSNBC" or "PMS-NBC" (PMS + MSNBC) is sometimes used by…
“Americans have more food to eat than any other people and more diets to keep them from eating it”
America has much food and many diets. ""Americans have more food to eat than any other people and more diets to keep them from eating it" is a quip that has appeared in newspapers…
“I want my food dead—not sick, not wounded—dead”
A line in Woody Allen's 1966 Broadway comedy, Don't Drink the Water, has become much-quoted with food writers: "WALTER. I will not eat oysters. They're alive when you eat them.…
“If you hear an onion ring, answer it”
"If you hear an onion ring, answer it" (or "If an onion rings, answer it") is a nonsense saying. "IF AN ONION RINGS ANSWER IT" was printed in the St. Louis (MO)…
“Everyone should believe in something—I believe I’ll have another drink”
"Well, a man's got to believe something, and I believe I'll have another drink," is a line in Peter de Vries's book, The Vale of Laughter (1967). The saying is often given…
“Whatever bakes your cake”
"Whatever bakes your cake" means "whatever makes you happy" or "whatever's your choice/desire" or "whatever's your flavor" or "whatever turns…
“Whatever butters your biscuit”
"Whatever butters your biscuit(s)" means "whatever makes you happy" or "whatever's your choice/desire" or "whatever's your flavor" or…
“Whatever tickles your pickle”
"Whatever tickles your pickle" means "whatever tickles your fancy" or "whatever makes you happy" or "whatever's your choice/desire" or "whatever…
“Whatever trips your trigger”
"Whatever trips your trigger" means "whatever makes you happy" or "whatever's your choice/desire" or "whatever turns you on" or "whatever floats…
“Whatever melts your butter”
"Whatever melts your butter" means "whatever makes you happy" or "whatever's your choice/desire" or "whatever's your flavor" or "whatever…
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme”
"History repeats itself" is an old proverb. "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme" is often credited to Mark Twain (1835-1910), but there is no evidence that he…
“In the beginning, a patriot is a scarce man, hated, feared and scorned”
Mark Twain (1835-1910) is often credited with the quotation: "In the beginning a patriot is a scarce man, hated and feared and scorned. But in time when his cause succeeds, the timid join him,…
“Shut up and sing/dance/act” (entertainers taking political positions)
"Shut up and dance!" or "Shut up and sing!" has been said to many entertainers -- simple advice from a director or the audience to do what the entertainer does best.…