“Packed like sardines”
Since at least the 1900s, passengers on New York City's trains have been described as "packed like sardines." Sardines are packed together tightly in cans, with little space…
“Our credit manager is Helen Waite. If you want credit, go to Helen Waite.”
Many businesses are cash-only and a few display this sign: "Our credit manager is Helen Waite. If you want credit, go to Helen Waite." Hell-and-wait, get it? The business sign dates to at…
“The best way to rob a bank is to own one”
On June 13, 1987, William Crawford, the California savings and loan commissioner, testified before Congress on the growing Savings & Loan crisis of the 1980s: "We build thick walls, we…
Golden Slacks (Goldman Sachs nickname)
Goldman Sachs is a leading financial firm, headquartered in lower Manhattan. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the company made so much money (and made its employees so wealthy) that it was nicknamed…
Golden Sacks (Goldman Sachs nickname)
Goldman Sachs is a leading financial firm, headquartered in lower Manhattan. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the company made so much money (and made its employees so wealthy) that it was nicknamed…
“Can’t dance and it’s too wet to plow”
"Can't dance and it's too wet to plow" means the same as "might as well" (that is, there's nothing else one can do). The phrase is cited in Ken Kesey's…
“It’s so dry, the trees are bribing the dogs” (Texas heat joke)
"So dry the trees are bribing the dogs" was in a Texas proverbs list by Anne Dingue in the December 1994 Texas Monthly. The saying has been in many "Texas Sayings" lists since…
Log-rolling (Logrolling)
Political "logrolling" (or "log-rolling") is a tit-for-tat exchange. In early America, logs had to be rolled to clear land and one person often needed the help of others. When…
Pork Barrel
The pork barrel was a prized culinary possession in the 19th century, able to feed many mouths. "Pork barrel" and "pork" came to mean special political benefits to a particular…
Porkulus or Porkulous; Porkapalooza; Porktastic (full of “pork barrel” spending)
In 2009, President Barack Obama presented an economic stimulus bill with an almost $1 trillion cost. Conservative commentators pointed out that the stimulus bill was loaded with "pork…
“Put some South in your mouth!”
"Put some South in your mouth!" (also "Put a little South in your mouth!" or "Put the South in your mouth!) is a phrase that has been popularized by restaurants selling…
“If you owe a bank thousands, you have a problem; owe a bank millions, the bank has a problem”
There's an old banking proverb: "If you owe the bank thousands (a small amount), then you have a problem. If you owe the bank millions (a large amount), then the bank has a problem."…
Domino (to give birth)
"To domino" means "to give birth," cited in Texas from the 1960s. The expression comes from the game of dominoes, where "to domino" is to end the game. It's not…
“If I tell you a hen dips snuff, you can look under its wing”
"If I tell you a hen dips snuff, you can look under its wing (and you'll find a whole can)" is an expression that means the speaker is telling the truth, and it can be checked out.…
“A lick and a promise”
"A lick and a promise" refers to a cursory washing or cleaning ("lick"), with a "promise" to do a more thorough job later. The phrase "a lick and a promise"…
“Money, Marbles and Chalk” (“Money, Marbles or Chalk”)
"Money, marbles and chalk" (or "money, marbles or chalk") means "going for everything." Similar phrases might be "all the marbles" and "the whole kit…
Gimlet (cocktail)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Gimlet (cocktail) The gimlet is a cocktail typically made of gin or vodka and lime juice. A 1928 description of the drink was: "gin, a spot of lime, and…
“Elections have consequences”
"Actions have consequences" is an ancient truism, very obvious and not attributed to any particular speaker. "Ideas have consequences" is the title of a 1948 book by philosopher…
Sport Pepper
Entry in progress -- B.P. Vienna BeefVienna® Sport PeppersReal Chicago Style Dogs Always Pack A Little Heat.Emil Reichel and Sam Ladany knew what they were doing when they made sport peppers one…
World Capital of Capital (World Capital of Capitalism)
New York City is sometimes called "Capital of the World" because it's home to the United Nations. This unofficial title is seldom written as "the world's capital" or…