Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)oy, int. (and n.)Etymology: Yiddish oy, an outcry or exclamation of surprise, joy, dismay, or horror.Esp. in Jewish usage: expressing surprise,…
The MSNBC network (headquartered in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan) is known for its progressive slant on political issues. MSNBC is frequently criticized for a pro-Democratic Party,…
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) wrote in "The Poet's Tale" of Tales of a Wayside Inn (1863): "For after all, the best thing one can doWhen it is raining, is to let it…
"Coffee (n): the person upon whom one coughs" is a jocular definition that has been cited in print since at least 2005. WPM Invitational (often confused with the Washington Post) has this…
"It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark" is a proverbial saying that means that one should plan ahead. "It Wasn't Raining When Noah Commenced the Ark" was cited in…
Entry in progress -- B.P. NanexPublication Date: 09/20/2011HFT Breaks Speed-of-Light Barrier, Sets Trading Speed World Record. Adds a new unit of time measurement to the lexicon: fantasecond. On…
The ACT (originally "American College Testing") is a test that helps students enter college. The ACT test has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname "Another Crappy…
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is a standardized test that, in 2012, began to replace TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, frequently nicknamed "Torture…
"EBT" stands for "Electronic Benefit Transfer." Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- still commonly called "food stamps" -- is one benefit on many EBT…
TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) is a standardized test that replaced other tests in 2003. TAKS has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname "Torture All Kids…
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)is a standardized test that is required for admission to many graduate schools. The GRE has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname of "Great…
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a standardized test for students in Florida's primary and secondary public schools. The FCAT has been given the backronymic (back acronym)…
he SAT test has the popular backronym (back acronym) of "Stupid Ass Test." The PSAT test is given in preparation for the SAT test. The PSAT test has been given the backronym…
Fitch Ratings is one of the "big three" credit rating agencies. An entity that is downgraded by Fitch is said to have been "Fitchslapped" or "Fitch slapped" (Fitch +…
"Clownigarch" (clown + oligarch) was coined by James Howard Kunstler, who wrote on October 14, 2013: "Of course, things are a bit different now since we became a nation of overfed…
"You can't cook with cold grease" means that one should (usually proverbially) turn up the heat, or make things more intense. The Chicago (IL) Tribune cited in 1982: "Aaron…
"WISH I'D SAID THAT: Too many Americans go in for weight-lifting with the wrong equipment -- a knife and fork" was in the "Earl's Pearl's" segment of…
Awards shows such as the Oscars (Hollywood) and Tonys (Broadway) have a person announce the nominees in a category, and then that person usually says, "The envelope, please." This…
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told Villanova University on October 16, 2007: "There is no such thing as a 'Catholic judge.' The bottom line is that the Catholic faith…
"All you need is tea and warm socks" is a winter saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters and coffee mugs. "Gives you hot tea and warm socks" was cited…