“If you’re bored in New York, it’s your own fault”
The actress and New York City resident Myrna Loy (1905-1993) wrote in her 1987 autobiography: "If you’re bored in New York, it’s your own fault. Something’s always happening. But in…
Archive for 01/2010
New York Pest (New York Post nickname)
New York Pest is an unflattering nickname of the New York (NY) Post newspaper. In 1962, a strike edition parody of the Post was called the Pest, but the Pest nickname has become popular since 1999…
“Put all your eggs in the one basket and—WATCH THAT BASKET”
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is an old proverb. Industrialist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) said in an 1885 speech that this was not the way to business success:…
Page Fix or Page Sick (Page Six nicknames)
Page Six -- the gossip page of the New York (NY) Post newspaper -- had a scandal in 2006, where editor Jared Paul Stern allegedly tried to extort money from businessman Ron Burkle in exchange for…
New York Daily Ooze (New York Daily News nickname)
New York Daily Ooze is an obvious -- but seldom-used -- nickname for the New York (NY) Daily News newspaper. The derogatory nickname Daily Ooze has been cited in print since at least 2002, when it…
“Look to your right, look to your left—one of them won’t be here next year”
Harvard Law School has a legendary address given to incoming students: "Look to your left, look to your right, because one of you won't be here by the end of the year." Other law…
New York Crimes (New York Times nickname)
New York Crimes is a nickname for the New York (NY) Times used by people who believe that the Times is so bad that it's criminal. In 1989, a four-page New York Crimes was made to protest New…
“How ‘bout them Cowboys?”
"How 'bout them Cowboys!" is what Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson said on January 17, 1993, after a 30-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers that would send the Cowboys into…
Founding Fathers
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Founding Fathers of the United StatesThe Founding Fathers of the United States were the political leaders who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 or…
Reich-wing (Third Reich + right wing)
"Reich-wing" (also "reich wing" and "reichwing," with or without capitalization) is an epithet from the political left wing directed to the right wing.…
Kickback
Entry in progress -- B.P. Merriam Webster's Online DictionaryMain Entry: kick·back Pronunciation: \ˈkik-ˌbak\Function: noun Date: 19201 : a sharp violent reaction2 : a return of a part of a…
“It was so cold in Washington that I saw a politician with his hands in his own pockets”
"It's so cold I saw a lawyer/politician with his hands in his own pockets!" is a joke that's frequently credited to comedians Johnny Carson (1925-2005) and Fred Allen…
“Don’t stand outside and be miserable; come inside and get fed up” (restaurant sign)
"Don't stand outside and be miserable -- come inside and be/get fed up!" is a one-line food joke that appeared in restaurant windows across the country by 1965. The joke is of…
“Eat Now—Pay Waiter” (restaurant sign)
"Eat now, pay later" is standard procedure at many restaurants. In Glendale (MO) in 1964, a restaurant sign was: "Eat Now Pay Waiter." The one-liner still appears in some…
“Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can’t even get into my own pants”
"Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into my own pants" is a saying that has appeared on internet joke lists and on T-shirts. The saying is of unknown origin…
“Politics ain’t beanbag”
"Politics ain't beanbag" is the famous statement of Mr. Dooley, an Irish-American character of writer Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936). In an 1895 newspaper column, the full quote was:…
“What goes around, comes around”
"What goes around, comes around" is a way of saying: "OK, you got me this time, but you'll get yours (payback) the next time." The phrase has been used in song titles by…
Campechana (seafood cocktail)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Goode Company Seafood (Houston, TX)Campechana De Mariscos (Mexican Seafood Cocktails)Shrimp...10.95Crab...10.95Campechana Extra Shrimp & Crab)...11.95 19 August 1963,…
Eleventh Commandment (“Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican”)
There are Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Bible. but people often add others, usually in jest. A popular Eleventh Commandment in the early 1800s was "Mind your business." A political…
“The best argument against democracy is a five minute talk with the average voter”
"The best argument against democracy is a five minute talk with the average voter" is often said to have been spoken by Winston Churchill (1874-1965), but there is no record that he ever…