“The recipe said ‘Set the oven to 180 degrees’” (joke)
"Set the oven 180 degrees" usually means to set the oven's heat to 180 degrees -- not to turn the oven itself at an 180-degree angle. A popular joke is: "The recipe said…
Archive for 11/2013
“I’m running out of unproductive things to do at work”
"I'm running out of unproductive things to do at work" is a jocular statement that has been printed on a Rottenecard. "I'm running out of unproductive things to do at…
“How to make holy water—boil the hell out of it”
An old joke is still told about how to make holy water: Q: How do you make holy water?A: You boil the hell out of it! The joke has been cited in print since at least 1942. It's not known who…
“Croissants are just biscuits that studied abroad”
Mark Twain wrote "cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education" in The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894). "Croissants are just biscuits that studied…
“Are Girl Scout cookies made from real Girl Scouts?”
The movie The Addams Family (1991) featured a scene where a Girl Scout asked Wednesday Addams if her lemonade was made from real lemons: Girl Scout: I only like all-natural foods and beverages,…
“I broke up with my gym. We were not working out”
"I broke up with my gym; we were just not working out" is a jocular saying that has been printed on T-shirts. "I broke up with my Gym, we were not working out" was cited on…
“All roads that lead to success have to pass through Hard Work Boulevard at some point”
"All roads that lead to success have to pass through Hard Work Boulevard at some point" is a saying that has been printed on a poster. The saying has been cited in print since at least…
Nostradumbass (Nostradamus + dumbass)
Nostradamus (1503-1566) was a famous seer who was known for his predictions. To call someone who makes predictions a "Nostradamus" is similar to calling a smart person an…
QEeen (quantitative easing or QE + queen)
In 2013, Janet Yellen was nominated for Federal Reserve chair. The Federal Reserve has a well known quantitative easing (QE) program (called "money printing" by many). During…
“Age doesn’t matter unless you’re a cheese”
"Age doesn't matter unless you're a cheese" is a jocular one-line saying that has appeared in many quotation collections, always credited to American actress Billie Burke…
Bloody Ridiculous Investment Concept (BRIC backronym)
The term "BRIC" nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) was coined in 2001 by economist Jim O'Neill. Ten years later, in November 2011, Société Générale strategist Albert Edwards…
MINT (Mexico + Indonesia + Nigeria + Turkey)
The term "BRIC" nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) was coined in 2001 by economist Jim O'Neill. The Japanese company Panasonic came up with a new grouping of nations in 2010…
“Those who are capable of tyranny are capable of perjury to sustain it”
Entry in progress -- B.P. ,a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysander_Spooner">Wikipedia: Lysander SpoonerLysander Spooner(January 19, 1808 – May 14, 1887) was an American…
Mexicoke (Mexican Coke)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Twitterrstevens 3.01@rstevens@lamelama22 I've had MexiCoke, not sure they do the Dew. This is what @cabel was talkin' 'bout: http://bit.ly/nicepepsi7:06…
“Power is where power goes”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google News Archive21 August 1965, The Daily News (Virgin Islands), pg. 14, col. 1:'Power Is Where Power Goes:' LBJBy MARY McGRORYWASHINGTON. — President…
“A wise person knows that there is something to be learned from everyone”
"A wise person knows that there is something to be learned from everyone" is a saying that has been printed on posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 2006 and is of…
Dollarocracy
A "dollarocracy" means rule by those people who possess dollars. The term "dollarocracy" was used in the New York (NY) Leader in 1855 and the New York (NY) Ledger in 1860.…
“All gave some, some gave all”
"all gave some and some gave all" is a popular saying about those who served in war. "Some Gave All" (official video of 1992 song) was written and performed by Billy Ray Cyrus,…
“Vodka is just awesome water”
"Vodka is just awesome water" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, buttons and posters. "Vodka is just awesome water" was first cited on…
Tyranny of Good Intentions
The "tyranny of good intentions" occurs, for example, when government legislates lifestyle choices, such as what light bulb is acceptable, or what toilet is acceptable, or what amount of…