Chinese Broccoli (kai-lan or gai-lon)
'Chinese broccoli" (also "Chinese kale") is the Americanized name of "kai-lan" (also "gai-lohn," "gai-lon" and "gai-lan"). The plant has…
Archive for 10/2012
Urinalist (urine/urinal + journalist)
"Urinalist" (urine/urinal + journalist) is a derogatory term used by someone who doesn't think much of journalists. "Urinalist" has been cited in print since at least 2000…
Morale Vitamin (Thiamine or Thiamin or Vitamin B1 nickname)
Thiamine or thiamin (vitamin B1) has been nicknamed the "morale vitamin" since at least 1939. Vitamin B1 is the "morale vitamin" because it improves mental attitudes and energy…
“Drama is life with the dull parts cut out of it”
"Drama is life with the dull parts cut out of it" means that drama reflects life, but it's time-compressed with only the interesting parts left in. For example, a biographical film…
“The organization of any bureaucracy is very much like a septic tank…” (Imhoff’s Law)
Thomas Lyle Merton's book, Malice in Blunderland (1973), provided a satirical view of bureaucratic jargon. One "law" has remained popular: IMHOFFS LAW: "The organization of any…
“Success is dependent upon the glands—sweat glands”
"Success is dependent upon the glands -- sweat glands" means that success comes from hard work ("sweat"). Several newspapers in 1931 published the line: "A physician says…
“You don’t get ulcers from what you eat; you get them from what’s eating you”
"You don't get ulcers from what you eat; you get them from what's eating you" is a jocular line that has been credited to Dr. Albert Cliffe since at least 1950 and to Austrian…
Boomerang Buyer
The Wall Street Journal's October 15, 2012 article, "'Boomerang' Home Seekers Become Eligible for Mortgages and Hit Market Again" by Conor Dougherty and Dawn Wotapka,…
“Silence is golden; duct tape is silver”
"Speech is silver; silence is golden" is an old proverb that means that it's often better to say nothing at all. "Silence is golden, (but) duct tape is silver" is a jocular…
“Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out”
"Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out" is a joke from comedienne Phyllis Diller (1917-2012), who often joked about her poor cooking skills. The joke has been cited in print since…
Wet Coast (wet + west coast)
Cities such as Vancouver (British Columbia), Seattle (Washington) and Portland (Oregon) get a lot of rain. "The wet coast" was cited in the book Canada: This Land of Ours (1976). The term…
Anti-Infective Vitamin (Vitamin A nickname)
Vitamin A was named the "anti-infective vitamin" in 1928 by Edward Mellanby (1884-1955) and Harry N. Green, both doctors at the University of Sheffield. The "aniti-infective…
Anti-Stress Mineral (magnesium nickname)
Magnesium is the fourth most common element on earth and can be found in diets with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Magnesium stabilizes the nervous system and has been called the…
Nature’s Sports Drink (water/coconut water/milk nickname)
Sports energy drinks (such as Red Bull) became popular in the 1990s; the sports drink Gatorade was developed in 1965. Several drinks have been called "nature's sports drink."…
Skinny Nut (pistachio nickname)
Pistachio nuts were a common food in what is now northeastern Iraq since at least 6750 B.C. The pistachio has been promoted as the "skinny nut" since at least January 2009. The book The…
Four Fingers of Death (four frankfurters in Meals, Ready-to-Eat)
The Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) has been disliked by many (most?) American soldiers. A particularly unpopular offering was frankfurters and beans; the four frankfurters were nicknamed the "four…
Polyester of Lettuce (iceberg lettuce nickname)
Iceberg lettuce is a popular lettuce in the United States and is commonly served at restaurants, but it's mostly water and doesn't have the nutritional value or the flavor of other…
Forgotten Vitamin (Vitamin K nickname)
Vitamin K isn't as popularly known as other vitamins, but K1 is found in green vegetables and the vitamin helps maintain a healthy blood clotting system. Vitamin K has been nicknamed the…
Memory Vitamin (Choline nickname)
Choline is a nutrient (usually grouped with B-complex vitamins) that can be found in milk, eggs and peanuts. Choline has been called the "memory vitamin" since at least 1998. Studies of…
Woman’s Vitamin or Women’s Vitamin (Pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 nickname)
Vitamin B6 (pyridozine) has been called the "woman's vitamin" (or "women's vitamin") because of its benefits for pregnant women and also for women with premenstrual…