“Political correctness is fascism pretending to be manners”
"Political correctness is fascism pretending to be manners" is a conservative meme. The book Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of…
Archive for 06/2014
Nurse-in (protest for breastfeeding in restaurants)
Many mothers take children to restaurants and desire to breastfeed their newborns. Some restaurants have objecting to breastfeeding. A "nurse-in" (nurse + sit-in) is a public protest by…
Birkenstock Liberal
Birkenstock is a brand name of sandals and other shoes; they became popular in the United States in the 1990s. The term "Birkenstock (-wearing) liberal" became popular in 2003, when…
“You can’t hit what you can’t catch”
"You can't hit what you can't catch" is a saying that has been used in boxing since at least 1938. The saying has also been used in hockey since at least 1968. "You…
“You can’t hit what you can’t see”
"You can't hit what you can't see" is what a frustrated baseball batter says after facing a blazing fastball pitch. "Can't hit them when you can't see them"…
“The fourth estate has become a fifth column”
The term "fourth estate" refers to the media (outside of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government). The term "fifth column" originated in the Spanish…
“You can’t beat what you can’t catch”
"You can't beat what you can't catch" is a saying that has been used in horse racing since at least 1943. The saying has also been used in auto racing -- there is a popular…
“Government is simply the name we give to the things we choose to do together”
American philosopher and Harvard professor Robert Nozick (1938-2002) wrote in 1989: "There are some things we choose to do together through government in solemn marking of our human…
“A life of frustration is inevitable for any coach whose main enjoyment is winning”
Pittsburgh Steelers head football coach Chuck Noll (1932-2014) believed that preparing for the games -- and not necessarily winning them, although Noll coached four Super Bowl-winning teams -- was…
“Shareholders should be worried when a CEO builds a new headquarters”
When should shareholders worry about a chief executive officer? Iain Martin wrote in Making It Happen: Fred Goodwin, RBS and the men who blew up the British economy (2013): "The old adage is…
“Journalists become journalists because they aren’t any good at math” (journalism adage)
"Journalists become journalists because they aren't good at math" is an old journalism adage. The adage is often brought up when a newspaper story involves math, such as charts and…
Old World Wine
"Old World wine" has been cited in print since at least 1897 and has meant wine that is imported from Europe. Terms such as "American wine" or "California wine" were…
New World Wine
"Old World wine" has been cited in print since at least 1897 and has meant wine that is imported from Europe. Terms such as "American wine" or "California wine" were…
Big Apple Fashioned (cocktail)
"Big Apple Fashioned" (Big Apple + Old Fashioned cocktail) was created by Hayley Jensen, beer sommelier of Taproom No. 307 (307 Third Avenue in Manhattan), in 2012. The cocktail is…
“When you’re good, you tell everybody; when you’re great, everybody tells you”
"When you're good (at something), you tell everybody; when you're great, everybody tells you" is a saying that has been used in sports and in business. "When you're…
Bullionaire (bullion + -aire)
A "bullionaire" (bullion + -aire, as in "millionaire" and "billionaire") is someone who holds precious metals, such as gold or silver -- usually in a large amount.…
“Too big to comply”
"Too big to comply" is a saying that means a company or a government agency is so big that it must have its own law -- and can't comply with laws that apply to everyone else.…
The Great Mentioner
The media always comes up with a handful of familiar names as potential candidates for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. Who decides on this small group of names? Russell…
Gundamentalist (gun + fundamentalist); Gundamentalism
A "gundamentalist" (gun + fundamentalist) is someone who believes in the right to bear arms as a matter of personal faith (if not law). The term "gundamentalist" was cited in…
Ammosexual (ammo + sexual)
An "ammosexual" (ammo + guns) is someone who loves ammo (ammunition) and guns. "Sexual" is a suffix in such terms ad "metrosexual" and "homosexual."…