“One man’s pork is another man’s bacon”
"Pork barrel" spending (that is, wasteful spending) for one legislator might be called "bringing home the bacon" (that is, essential spending) for another legislator. The saying…
Archive for 03/2013
Teeny Weeny Airlines (Trans World Airlines or TWA nickname)
Trans World Airlines (TWA) existed from 1925 through 2001 and was once one of the world's largest airlines, with a terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. TWA has been given the…
“It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on”
"It's better to be pissed off than pissed on" (that is, it's better to be angry than to simply take the abuse of others) is a saying that has been printed on many gift items,…
Super Senior (student who takes longer to graduate)
College is normally four years to receive an undergraduate degree; someone who stays longer is often called a "fifth year senior" or a "super senior." "Heck, I'm a…
Foodflation (food + inflation)
"Food-flation" or "foodflation" (food + inflation) describes the increased price of food over the general inflation level. "The fuel crisis gassed the prices and made the…
Great Debasement
The "Great Debasement" (1542-1551) occurred when the English Crown reduced the gold and silver content in its coins, saving the government money. The name "Great Debasement" was…
Penny-Pinching (Penny-Pincher)
A "penny-pincher" is someone who is extremely frugal and who counts every penny. The English dramatist Thomas Dekker (1572-1632) wrote "Hang these penny-pinching fathers" in his…
Err Canada (Air Canada nickname)
Air Canada is the flag carrier of Canada, formed from Trans-Canada Airlines in 1936 and named Air Canada in 1965. Air Canada has been nicknamed "Err Canada" since at least 1973. Air…
Cowboy NASCAR (chuck wagon races)
The chuck wagon (or "chuckwagon") is the official vehicle of Texas. Chuckwagon racing didn't begin in Texas, but they are held in Bandera, the place that bills itself as the…
Victory Lap (an extra year of school)
A "victory lap" in sports is when someone wins a race, and then takes an extra lap for the fans to celebrate. A "victory lap" in education is when a student takes an extra year…
Victory Lap
A "victory lap" is an extra lap around the track taken by the winner of a race, performed in front of the fans. "The officials finally declared Flemke the winner and he took the…
“Get your head in the game” (act smarter)
"Get your head in the game" means that one should act smarter, pay attention and stop making mistakes; "keep your head in the game" is similar advice. "Keep your head in…
“Only accountants can save the world—through peace, goodwill and reconciliations”
"Only accountants can save the world -- through peace, goodwill and reconciliations" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items. "Goodwill" and…
“There is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse” (horse-riding adage)
"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man" (that is, riding a horse improves a person's mental or physical health) has often been credited…
Mildew Plaza (Milford Plaza nickname)
The Milford Plaza opened in 1928 (as the Lincoln Hotel) at 700 Eighth Avenue. The 27-story, 1,300-room hotel is located near the Broadway theaters and was so affordably priced that it began…
“There are old pilots and bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots”
"There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots" is an old aviation adage. Harry Copland (1896-1976), who first flew in an airplane in 1911, made the…
Aerosplat (Aeroflot nickname)
Aeroflot was founded in 1923 and is the flag carrier for the Russian Federation. The obvious Aeroflot nickname of "Aerosplat" ("splat" is the sound made by a crash) has been…
Tombstone Agency
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was created in 1958 and is the national aviation authority in the United States. Mary Schiavo, an inspector general at that U.S. Department of…
“I tried paying taxes with a smile, but the IRS wanted cash”
Some people suggest that citizens should "pay taxes with a smile," knowing that the citizens have patriotically performed a civic duty. Many taxpayers, however, do not enjoy paying taxes.…
“Relax, don’t worry, have a homebrew” (RDWHAHB)
"Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew" and the initials "RDWHAHB" have been printed on many gift items, such as bumper stickers, posters and T-shirts. Charlie Papazian,…