“Politics is a contact sport” (“Democracy is a contact sport”)
"Politics is a contact sport" means that politics is rough business, like the sport of boxing. Japanese politics was called a "contact sport" in June 1960. "Politics is a…
Archive for 03/2013
“Religion is for people who are afraid of hell; spirituality is for people who’ve been there”
"Religion is for people who fear hell, and spirituality is for people who have gone through hell (and don't want to go back)" is a saying that has been used by many 12-steps…
“No margin, no mission” (health care adage)
"No margin, no mission" began as a saying at Catholic and Presbyterian hospitals. The hospitals were owned by non-profits, but a hospital needed turn a profit ("margin") to…
“Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?” (motor sports adage)
"Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?" is a saying that has been printed on gift items, such as T-shirts, caps and mugs. "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to…
“In confusion there is profit”
The comedy film Operation Petticoat (1959) was directed by Blake Edwards and starred Tony Curtis and Cary Grant; the script (the product of four writers) was nominated for an Academy Award. Lt.…
Mushroom Management (Mushroom Theory of Management; Mushroom Treatment)
"Mushroom management" (also called the "mushroom theory of management" or the "mushroom treatment") is a jocular employee relations term. One worked described a…
“Don’t send a boy to do a man’s job”
"Don't send a boy to do a man's job/work" means that one should not have someone do what that person cannot do. "Hire a boy to do a man's business; he will make up his…
“Architecture is a great profession, but a horrible business”
"Architecture is a great profession and a horrible business" was said in a 2009 transcript titled "The truth about being an architect," but it's not known where the saying…
“Architects cover their mistakes with ivy”
“Surgeons can bury their mistakes, but we architects have to cover ours with ivy" is usually credited to architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). Wright gave a 1931 Art Institute of Chicago…
Dark Inventory
"Shadow inventory" has been cited in print since at least 2007 and refers to real estate properties that are in foreclosure or whose owners are waiting for market conditions to improve to…
“You don’t want to be the coach who follows the legend” (coaching adage)
A saying in sports coaching is that "you don't want to be the coach who follows the legend, you want to follow the coach who follows the legend." The coach who directly follows a…
Shadow Inventory
"Shadow inventory" is a real estate term that describes properties in foreclosure or properties that owners have delayed putting on the market (hoping that market conditions improve). The…
“Every shot pleases someone” (golf adage)
"Every shot pleases somebody/someone" is a golf adage; a great shot pleases the golfer and a poor shot pleases the golfer's opponents. "Every shot pleases somebody" has…
Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy
The "Texas sharpshooter fallacy" is based on a story about a person who comes to Texas and sees bullet holes in the side of a barn, with a bull's-eye circle drawn around each hole.…
Great Disconnect (Grand Disconnect)
The "Great Disconnect" (or "Grand Disconnect") occurs when the stock market doesn't reflect economic reality. Gary Shilling, an American financial analyst, wrote in Forbes…
Lunatic Soup (alcoholic drink)
"Lunatic soup" is slang used in Australia and New Zealand for an alcoholic drink. "A lively and humorous Temperance address by the Rev. W. H. Coates, who took as his text the words…
Irish Handcuffs (alcoholic drinks in both hands)
"Irish handcuffs" is a slang term to describe having an alcoholic drink (such as a pint of Guinness) in each hand. "I spy him across the crowded room wearing Irish handcuffs, which…
Call Drink
A "well drink" means any house liquor that is conveniently located in a bartender's well. A call drink is where a customer requests a brand name for his or her drink. Well drinks are…
Well Drink
A "well drink" means any house liquor that is conveniently located in a bartender's well. A call drink is where a customer requests a brand name for his or her drink. Well drinks are…
Beer Goggles
"Beer goggles" is a slang expression for the blurred vision (after intoxication) that makes people more sexually attractive. An ultimate frisbee team was named "Beer Goggles" in…