Low Information Voter (LIV)
A "low information voter" (LIV) is someone who doesn't follow politics closely, but votes on a candidate's perceived likability and public persona. The term "low…
Archive for 02/2013
Beertini (beer + martini)
A boilermaker is a beer cocktail of a glass of beer and a shot of whiskey. A beertini (beer + martini) is any beer drink that resembles a cocktail. Beer poured into a martini cocktail glass and…
Spucky, Spuckie or Spukie (sandwich)
The "spuckie" sandwich -- also called "spucky," "spukie" and "spooky" -- is a Boston, Massachusetts version of an Italian sandwich, such as a "sub"…
Sorority
The word "sorority" (from the latin soror, or "sister") has had a long use meaning a sisterhood or a club of women. Sororities at American colleges began in 1851; several…
Beertail (beer + cocktail)
A "beertail" (beer + cocktail) is any cocktail that contains beer. Beertail recipes vary widely. Miller Brewing Company popularized the term with its "Beertails and More"…
Brewski (beer)
"Brewski" or "brewsky" (brew + -ski) is mock Polish for "beer." "Brewski" has been cited in print since about 1978 and quickly became a popular slang at…
Never Again Volunteer Yourself (“navy” backronym)
"Never Again Volunteer Yourself" is a backronym (back acronym) of the word "navy" that has been printed on several gift items, such as bumper stickers, T-shirts and posters.…
Good Enough Diploma (“GED” backronym)
General Education Development (GED) tests offer an opportunity for a student to achieve a Certificate of High School Equivalency. The comedian Chris Rock wrote in his book Rock This! (1997):…
“Politicians like to cut ribbons, but they don’t like to sweep brooms”
"Politicians like to cut ribbons, but they don't like to sweep brooms" means that politicians like the ribbon-cutting ceremonies on large capital projects, but they don't like…
Royal Bank of Swindlers (Royal Bank of Scotland or RBS nickname)
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was formed in 1727; its U.S. branch is the Citizens Financial Group (Citizens Bank). The RBS nickname of “Royal Bank of Swindlers" has been cited in print…
Now You’re Unemployed (New York University or NYU nickname)
New York University (NYU) is a private university in New York City that was founded in 1831. A popular backronym (back acronym) of NYU has the letters stand for "Now You're…
Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks (NASCAR nickname)
NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. A popular backronym (back acronym) of NASCAR used by non-fans of the sport is "Non Athletic Sport Centered Around…
“Save a cow—eat a vegetarian”
"Save a cow -- eat a vegetarian" is a jocular saying that's been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, bumper stickers and posters. The saying is a meat eater's answer…
“What if the Hokey-Pokey really is what it’s all about?”
The Hokey-Pokey dance has the singer explain to the dancers: "You put your (leg/arm) in, you put your (leg/arm) out, you put your (leg/arm) in and you shake it all about. You do the…
Honku (honk + hailku)
A "honku" (honk + haiku) is a haiku of anti-honking verses. A haiku is a three-line poem of 17 syllables, in phrases of 5 syllables, then 7 syllables, and then 5 syllables. Aaron…
“The drunker I sit here the longer I get” (“Starkle, starkle little twink”)
"The drunker I sit here the longer I get" is some seemingly drunken nonsense that has been printed on gift items, such as T-shirts and beer mugs. The saying began as a final verse added…
“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind”
Entry in progress -- B.P. 19 November 1996, Denver (CO) Post, pg. A2:Sez who: "The problem with the whole world is that everyone is a few drinks behind." - Humphrey Bogart Google BooksA…
“There’s too much month left at the end of the money”
"There's too much month left at the end of the money" is a jocular saying, the reverse of having money left at the end of the month. "In opulent America, on the other hand, we…
“Even if you are one in a million, there are eight more of you in New York”
The expression "you're one in a million" means that a person is very special; a literal calculation of a million people is not intended. There is an expression "even if…
Gordie Howe Hat Trick (one goal, one assist and one fight)
A "hat trick" in ice hockey is when a player scores three goals in one game. Gordie Howe (1928-2016) played professional hockey from 1946–1971 and then from 1973–1980; he was known…