"Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others" is a saying that has been printed on a demotivational poster. "It's possible that your…
"The brave don't live forever/long, but the cautious don't live at all" (or "Brave men don't live forever...") is a saying that has been printed on posters. The…
Many versions of the U.S. quarter --as well as other coins -- have an eagle on one side. Someone who doesn't like to spend money is said to "squeeze a quarter so tight the eagle…
The "Buffalo nickel" or "Indian Head nickel" is a U.S. five-cent piece with a buffalo design on one side and an Indian head design on the other; the coin was minted from 1913 to…
"Tighter than the skin on a grape" means very tight, such as someone tight with money or a tight sporting contest. "Tighter than the skin on a grape" has been cited in print…
Someone who is "hotter than donut/doughnut grease" is someone who is very attractive (or "hot"). The expression is also used for someone on a hot streak, and for hot weather.…
An old joke tells of a person who is so dumb (or stupid) that he or she thinks Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company. "And if you believe that, you probably also think Taco Bell is a Mexican…
Entry in progress -- B,P,[This entry was prepared with research assistance of Sam Clements of the American Dialect Society listserv and the Early Sports and Pop Culture History Blog.] Wikipedia:…
"Swapping the witch for the bitch" means trading one addiction for another addiction. For example, one might give up using illegal drugs ("the witch"), but start drinking…
"The bond market is smarter than the stock market" is a popular financial saying. The bond market has more institutional investors and the stock market has more individual (and…
London's Royal Court Theatre stages many new plays along with a few classics. It's been said that the Royal Court "treats new plays like classics and classics like new plays."…
A popular saying about teaching (based on 2+2=4) is: 2 teach is2 touch a life----4 ever The saying has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and mugs. "2 teach is 2 touch…
"The best camera is the one that's with you" is the title of a 2010 book by photographer Chase Jarvis, but Jarvis popularized an old photography adage and did not coin the saying.…
"Two faces and a ball" is a sports photography rule; a good sports shot usually shows an offensive player, the ball, and a defensive player. The shot is also better if the players'…
"Don't agonize, organize" was a 1970s slogan of the women's movement, specifically the older women's movement for civil rights. Both Florynce Kennedy (1916-2000) and Tish…
"If you see the play happen, you have missed the picture" (or "If you see the action, you missed it") is a sports photography adage. A sports photographer must know the sport…
"Grow what you can and can what you grow" was a popular saying in 1942, during World War II, when food availability was limited. "Grow What You Can, Can What You Grow" was cited…
Cucumbers must be fresh -- no more than a day from when cut from the vine -- in order to make the best pickles. The old rule is, "24 hours from vine to brine." "Twenty-four hours…
"Where the elite meet to eat" was the slogan of Duffy's Tavern, an American radio situation comedy, airing from 1941 to 1951. The saying "where the elite meet to cheat" --…
"Aspire to inspire before you expire" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, bumper stickers and T-shirts. Tullah Hanley, a former belly dancer who became…