“On any given Sunday” (“On any given Saturday”)
College football games usually are played on Saturday and professional NFL games are played on Sunday. The football cliché is that "on any given Saturday," any college football team can…
Archive for 06/2011
“A football team that has two quarterbacks has no quarterback”
"A football team that has two (starting) quarterbacks has no (starting) quarterback" means that only one player can fill the starting quarterback position -- a leadership position on a…
MSLGBT (MSNBC nickname)
The MSNBC network (headquartered in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan) is known for its progressive slant on political issues. The nickname “MSLGBT” (MSNBC + LGBT) is used by those who believe…
“No playoff series truly begins until the road team wins a game”
"The playoffs don't start until the home team loses a game" (or "No playoff series truly begins until the road team wins a game") is an old NBA saying. NBA coach Pat Riley…
“Sell when you can, not when you have to”
"Sell when you can, not when you have to" is a market saying of uknown origin, cited in print since at least 1983. One should "sell when you can" (during a rising market, taking…
Permawrong (Permaright)
"Permabull" has been cited in print since at least 1994 and "permabear" since at least 1995. It's been said that the permabears and permabulls can be "permawrong"…
Rhinestone Cowboys (Dallas Cowboys replacements nickname)
The 1987 NFL season featured a 23-day players' strike; replacement players were used during weeks 4-6. The Dallas Cowboys' replacement football palyers were dubbed the "Rhinestone…
Lehman Moment
Lehman Brothers was a financial firm that collapsed quickly in 2008; its September 2008 bankruptcy filing created a world financial panic. The term "Lehman moment" (or "Lehman…
“Four boxes govern the world” (ballot box, jury box, cartridge box, band box)
"Four boxes govern the world -- the cartridge box, the jury box, the ballot box, and the band box" is a saying that was very popular in the 19th century. (A band box holds articles of…
“Every night is election night on the sports desk”
"Every night is election night on the sports desk" is a saying popular at the sports departments of newspapers and television stations. Election night is a busy night for news; the saying…
“Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it”
"Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it" is a motivational sign that has been posted on the walls of many offices. The saying has been cited in print…
CRIMEX (COMEX nickname)
The COMEX (Commodity Exchange, Inc.) is part of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the world's largest physical commodity futures exchange. Both gold and silver trade on the COMEX.…
Doctor Doom or Dr. Doom (economic pessimist)
Many bearish economists have been given the nickname "Dr. Doom." Henry Kaufman was the first such "Dr. Doom," having acquired the nickname by at least 1981. Conrad Vane wrote…
Wall Street Refiner
"Wall Street refiner" is a term that began in 1987-88, when Wall Street financial institutions became involved in the oil business. Wall Street has no refineries, of course. Firms such as…
Government Sucks (Government Sachs + Goldman Sucks; Goldman Sachs nickname composite)
Goldman Sachs is a financial firm headquartered in Lower Manhattan. The Goldman Sachs nickname of "Government Sucks" is a composite of two widely used nicknames, "Government…
Dumb Money
"Dumb money" is money from the average investor (a small, unsophisticated investor). The term "dumb money" has been in common use since at least 1985. The term "smart…
Smart Money
"Smart money" -- money that sophisticated, high-rolling people spend -- is a term that has been used in horseracing since at least 1893. The term "smart money" has also been…
Wait-a-Burger (Whataburger nickname)
Whataburger is a fast food restaurant (specializing in hamburgers, such as the "Whataburger") that began in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950. Some critics claim that Whataburger takes…
Deskfast (desk + breakfast)
"Deskfast" (desk + breakfast) is a breakfast eaten at an office desk. The breakfast usually consists of simply prepared, ready-to-eat foods. Fantastic Foods of Petaluma, California,…
Jingle Mail
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: jingle mailNounjingle mail (uncountable)1.(neologism) The practice of posting one's house keys back to the mortgage company because of negative equity or…