“Show me your checkbook and I’ll tell you your values”
"Show me your checkbook and I'll tell you your values" is a popular saying of uncertain origin. "Show me a person's checkbook and I can tell you what he cares about"…
Archive for 09/2014
“Show me your budget and I’ll tell you what you value”
United States Senator Joe Biden said on the presidential campaign trail in 2007: "As my Dad used to say, 'Do not tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I will tell you what you…
“You can judge a man by his shoes” (fashion adage)
"You can judge a man by his shoes" is an old fashion adage. "A fashion authority says you cannot always tell a man by his clothes, but you can invariably judge a gentleman by his…
“Developers, developers, developers”
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave a presentation for Microsoft's 25th anniversary in September 2000. His presentation was full of manic energy and he told the crowd that the success of…
“No coffee, no workee”
"No coffee, no workee" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as coffee mugs, T-shirts and bumper stickers. "No tickee, no shirtee/washee" is the…
“Time flies when you’re having rum”
"Time flies when you're having fun" is a proverb that has been cited in print since 1933. "Time flies when you're having rum" is a jocular variant that has been…
“Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can, and wine to accept the things I can’t”
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference" is popularly known as the Serenity Prayer.…
“Marriage is about love and divorce is about money”
"Marriage is about love and divorce is about money" is a popular saying among family lawyers and divorce planners. "If marriage is about love, then divorce is about money" was…
“If you don’t vote, don’t complain”
"If you don't vote, don't complain" is an old political saying that has been cited in print since at least 1927, but appears to have been popularized in the 1940s. "If you…
“Support wildlife—throw a party”
"Support wildlife -- throw a party" has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. "Fall is the time to support wildlife -- have a party tonight" was…
Super Bowl of Fashion (New York Fashion Week nickname)
Several large fashion events have been called the "Super Bowl of Fashion." The Super Bowl is the championship game in the National Football League and is one of the most-watched…
“I’m broke and I have a college degree to prove it”
"I'm broke and I have a (college) degree to prove it" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, buttons and bumper stickers. Many…
“Where the rubber meets the road”
"Where the rubber meets the road" means when a vehicle's tires go on the road and face a performance test. "After ail is said and done it must be remembered that 'the…
“Fresh Fish Sold Here” (signage joke)
An old story involves the owner of a fish store who painted a new sign, "Fresh Fish Sold Here." A friend objected to the word "here" -- where else was the fish being sold? The…
“There are no votes in foreign aid” (political adage)
"There are no votes in foreign aid" is an old political adage. Politicians gain votes bringing money back to their districts -- not by sending money out of the country. "There are no…
Monday Morning Quarterback
A "Monday morning quarterback" is someone who can reflect on the Sunday National Football League games and offer the best analysis -- in hindsight. College football games are usually…
“If it moves, it’s biology; If it smells, it’s chemistry; If it doesn’t work, it’s physics”
A popular saying about science demonstrations has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and coffee mugs: "If it moves, it's biology.If it smells, it's…
Whataboutism
"Whataboutism" is a tactic to deflect criticism by bringing up an alleged defect of the criticizing party. For example, the United States might criticize Russia, only to be told,…
Gunverment or Gunvernment (gun + government)
"Gunverment" or "gunvernment" (gun + government) refers to a totalitarian government that rules by force (as if from the barrel of a gun). "GUNverment" has been cited…
“More companies die of indigestion than starvation”
David Packard (1912-1996), a co-founder with William Hewlett of Hewlett Packard (1939), didn't like costly acquisitions and believed that his company should stay focused. Packard wrote in The…