“The U.S. dollar is the leper with the most fingers”
In the film The Two Jakes (1990), actor Jack Nicholson spoke this memorable line: "What I do for a living may not be very reputable. But I am. In this town I'm the leper with the most…
Archive for 02/2012
UpChuck E. Cheese or Upchucky Cheese (Chuck E. Cheese’s nickname)
Chuck E. Cheese's is a pizza chain of family entertainment centers. The nickname "Upchuck Cheese Pizza" has been cited in print since at least 1988, "UpChuck E. Cheese"…
Lehman 2.0
The financial firm of Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy in September 2008 -- the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Any other large bankruptcy or great financial collapse (Greece, for example)…
Guac (guacamole)
"Guac" (pronounced "walk") is to "guacamole" what "mayo" is to "mayonnaise" -- a clipped version of the word that's popularly spoken (if not…
“A heart the size of Texas” or “A heart as big as Texas” (Texas saying)
To say that someone has "a heart the size of Texas" or "a heart as big as Texas" means that a person has a big heart. "A heart as big as Texas" has been cited in print…
Dictocrat (dictator + bureaucrat)
A "dictocrat" (dictator + bureaucrat) is a term that dates in print to at least 1933 and 1940, during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The word is often used in…
Babycino or Babyccino (baby + cappuccino)
A "babycino" or "babyccino" (baby + cappuccino) was conceived as a drink for a young person while a parent has a drink at a coffeehouse. Despite the "-cino" or…
“It’s breakfast time somewhere”
"It's morning (i.e., breakfast time) somewhere" was popularized by a 2011 television commercial for Kellogg's Crunchy Nut cereal (usually eaten at breakfast). A woman longs to…
“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success”
"Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect" is a popular teamwork saying of unknown authorship, cited in print since at least 1993. Other forms of the saying are…
Ecotard (ecology + retard)
Everyone supports the enviroment, although some critics have claimed that the "green" movement is too extreme. The derogatory nickname "ecotard" (ecology + retard) has been…
Security Theater
"Security theater" is a term that was first used in Bruce Schneier's book Beyond Fear (2003). Schneier wrote, "But some countermeasures provide the feeling of security instead…
“Whether you’re rich or poor, it’s nice to have money”
Entry in progress -- B.P. [This saying was discussed in February 2012 in WordOrigins.org.]
Deepcession (deep + depression + recession)
"Deepcession" (deep + depression + recession) is a term that has been cited in print since at least December 2007 and has been used infrequently since the 2008 recession. David Brauer of…
Trainmageddon or Trainageddon (train + Armageddon)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has many service changes from planned construction and maintenance work; "The Weekender" website lists the changes. The terms…
ZIRP4EVA (ZIRP + forever)
The term ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy) has been cited in print since at least 2000. but became popular during the financial crisis of 2008. Some financial observers during the crisis speculated…
“A man in debt is caught in a net”
Entry in progress -- B.P. The proverb is cometimes credited to John Ray's 17th century book of English proverbs, but it does not appear there. Google BooksThe Salt-Cellars: Being a collection…
“I owe, I owe, so off to work I go”
"I owe, I owe, so/it's off to work I go" is a popular saying on bumper stickers and other gift items. The saying is sung to the tune of "Heigh-Ho" (the Dwarfs'…
“Loans and debts make worries and frets”
Entry in progress -- B.P. The proverb is cometimes credited to John Ray's 17th century book of English proverbs, but it does not appear there. Google BooksThe Salt-Cellars:Being a collection…
Dorm District (Yorkville, Manhattan)
Yorkville (on the east side of Manhattan) has been called the "Dorm District" because of the many students who reside there. Yorkville's Wikipedia entry mentions that these students…
Fun City
New York's "Fun City" nickname was born in the first days of Mayor John Lindsay's administration in January 1966. There was a transit strike; after observing New York's…