“When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns”
"When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" is a popular anti-gun control message. Under gun control, honest people who follow laws won't have guns, but criminals who…
Archive for 01/2013
“When marriage is outlawed, only outlaws will have in-laws”
"When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns" is a popular anti-gun control saying that has been cited in print since at least 1967. The jocular anti-proverb "When marriage…
“Always carry whiskey in case of snakebite—furthermore, always carry a small snake”
The comic actor W. C. Fields (1880-1946) was well known for his witty lines about drinking. "I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake— which I also keep handy"…
“A hangover is when you open your eyes in the morning and wish you hadn’t”
"A hangover is when you open your eyes in the morning and wish you hadn't" is a jocular saying that has been included in many quotation collections that describe hangovers. "A…
“Anarchists of the world, unite!”
"Anarchists of the world, unite!" is a jocular slogan that has been printed on T-shirts. The saying is a parody of "Workers of the world, unite!" from The Communist Manifesto…
Aporkalypse (apocalypse + pork)
The term "aporkalypse" (apocalypse + pork) became widely used in 2009, when there were fears of a deadly swine flu virus. The New York Times listed "aporkalypse" as one of its…
Wing Wednesday
"Wing Wednesday" is when an eating establishment serves chicken wings on Wednesday -- usually at a reduced price. "Wild Wing Wednesday" has been cited in print since at least…
Taco Tuesday
"Taco Tuesday" is when an eating establishment serves tacos on Tuesday -- usually at a reduced price. "Taco Tuesday" has been cited in print since at least 1971. Taco…
“Change is inevitable—except from a vending machine”
"Change is inevitable -- except from a vending machine" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as bumper stickers and T-shirts. The saying has been cited in…
Health Sinner
A "health sinner" is a person who does not conform to the current norms for proper health, such as someone who eats the wrong foods or who doesn't get enough exercise. "Health…
“Advertising helps raise the standard of living by raising the standard of longing”
"Advertising helps raise the standard of living by raising the standard of longing" is a popular saying about advertising. The saying has been cited in print since 1955, when it was…
“An utter waste is defined as a busload of lawyers going over a cliff with three empty seats”
"The best description of 'utter waste' would be a busload of lawyers to go over a cliff with three empty seats" was said by Lamar Hunt, owner of football's Kansas City…
“The devil makes his Christmas pie of lawyers’ tongues and clerks’ fingers”
"The devil makes his Christmas pie of lawyers' tongues and clerks' fingers" is often said to be an old English proverb, but it appears to be an Italian proverb. John Florio…
“The public stayed away in droves”
American film producer Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) was known for his humorous misstatements or malapropisms that became known as "Goldwynisms." One famous "Goldwynism" was when…
“Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit”
"Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit" was said by comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) in his bestselling book
Charity Stripe (basketball free-throw line)
Basketball's foul line is called the "charity stripe" (or "charity line") because, after a player gets fouled (sometimes with a hard hit), that player gets…
“When you win, you’re an old pro; when you lose, you’re an old man”
Detroit Lions Football Hall of Fame offensive guard Lou Creekmur (1927-2009) was 30 years old in 1957 when he said: "When you win. you're an old pro; when you lose, you're an old…
“Old lawyers never die—they just lose their appeal”
"Old soldiers never die -- they just fade away” is an old saying that was popularized by General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) in his farewell address to Congress on April 19, 1951. Many…
“Don’t pay any attention to the critics—don’t even ignore them”
American film producer Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) was known for his humorous misstatements or malapropisms that became known as "Goldwynisms." One famous "Goldwynism" was when…
“Critics are the stupid who discuss the wise”
Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) wrote in the essay "What Is Art?" (1897; English translation 1898): "A friend of mine, speaking of the relation of critics to artists, half…