MoMath (Museum of Mathematics)
The Museum of Mathematics was announced in June 2011 for an opening in 2012 at 11 East 26th Street in Manhattan. The museum has been nicknamed "MoMath" by its founders, with a trademark…
Archive for 07/2011
“Terrorism is the poor man’s war” (“War is the rich man’s terrorism”)
The actor/writer Peter Ustinov (1921-2004) wrote in 2003, "Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich." The term "terrorism is the poor man's…
“Gas, Grass or Ass—Nobody rides for free”
"Gas, Grass or Ass -- Nobody Rides Free!" was a popular bumper sticker, cited in print since at least May 1978. The message means that, to pay for a ride, the driver will accept gas…
UTEP Two-Step (basketball dribble)
The "UTEP two-step" is a crossover dribble developed by Tim Hardaway of the University of Texas-El Paso Miners basketball team. Hardaway was watching on television Dwayne…
Devil’s Metal (silver nickname)
Nickel has long been called the "devil's copper" or the "devil's metal." Copper is called "Kupfer" in German and nickel is "Kupfernickel." The…
Doctor of Democracy
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh first called himself the "Doctor of Democracy" in April 1993. The title was meant to show that Limbaugh promotes freedom and liberty…
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" was a conservation motto during World War II, popularized in 1942-43. The saying was frequently credited to New England. "Eat it…
“The last ten hits (to 3,000 career hits) are the hardest”
New York Yankee Derek Jeter joined an exclusive baseball club when he got his 3,000 base hit on July 9, 2011. A month earlier, 3,000-hit-club member Tony Gwynn had advised Jeter, "Fortunately,…
“Politicians, old buildings and prostitutes become respectable with age”
The movie Chinatown (1974), written by Robert Towne and directed by Roman Polanski, contained the following memorable line, spoken by the actor-director John Huston: "'Course I'm…
“Jews earn like Episcopalians and vote like Puerto Ricans”
"Jews earn like Episcopalians and vote like Puerto Ricans" is a paraphrase of what Milton Himmelfarb (1918-2006) wrote in the June 1973 Commentary magazine, in the article "The…
“I can get it for you wholesale”
I Can Get It for You Wholesale is the title of a 1937 novel by Jerome Weidman (1913-1998) about New York City's garment industry. The book was loosely adapted into a 1951 film starring Susan…
“Checkers or wreckers” (auto racing saying)
"Checkers or wreckers" (or "wreckers or checkers") in auto racing means that either the car will come under the checkered flag (win the race) or go to the wreckers (the car will…
Texas Ratio
The "Texas ratio" for checking a bank's fiscal health was developed by Gerard Cassidy of RBC Capital Markets (Portland. ME) in the 1980s. Cassidy was checking Texas banks, but the…
Texas Ratio
The "Texas ratio" for checking a bank's fiscal health was developed by Gerard Cassidy of RBC Capital Markets (Portland. ME) in the 1980s. Cassidy was checking Texas banks, but the…
Little Satan (Israel); Big Satan or Great Satan (United States)
Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini (1902-1989) was reported by the Associated Press on November 5, 1979, to have said "the great Satan, America." The term immediately became popular during…
Gulp of Mexico (tequila; Margarita cocktail; Corona beer; Tecate beer)
Several Mexican drinks have been said to be the "Gulp of Mexico" (wordplay on the "Gulf of Mexico"): . Tequila -- Tequila has been called the "Gulp of Mexico" since at…
Sonny Mae or Sony Mae (State of New York Mortgage Agency or SONYMA)
The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) was created in 1970. The nickname "Sonny Mae" has been cited in print since at least August 1981 and "Sony Mae" since at least…
Farmer Mac (Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation)
Farmer Mac signifies the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation was chartered by the U.S. federal government in 1988, but the name "Farmer…
Sallie Mae (Student Loan Marketing Association)
Sallie Mae signifies the Student Loan Marketing Association (SLM Corporation). The Student Loan Marketing Association was created in 1972, but "Sally Mae" has been cited in print since at…
Ginnie Mae (Government National Mortgage Association)
Ginnie Mae signifies the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). The GNMA was established in 1968 and "Ginnie Mae" has been cited in print since at least February 1968. Ginnie…