“Some people dream of success; others stay awake and achieve it”
"Some people dream of success; others stay awake and achieve it" (also, "Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it" or "Some people dream of…
Archive for 10/2014
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
"If you can't convince them, confuse them" was popularized in 1948 by U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), referring to the tactics of the opposition Republican party. Truman…
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight”
Smiles -- such as "service with a smile" -- can be an important part of business etiquette. "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight" is saying that was popularized in…
“I wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realized that I am somebody”
"I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized that I am somebody" is a popular saying of unknown authorship. *I waited for somebody to do something. Then I realized I…
“Retail follows rooftops” (real estate adage)
"Retail follows (the) rooftops" is a popular real estate adage. If there are many homes ("rooftops") in an area, then retail (commercial developments) will follow. "Retail…
“Lord, help me to know what’s cooking before it boils over”
To "know what's cooking" means to know what's happening. "Lord, help me to know what's cooking before it boils over" means that one should spot trouble before it…
“For God so loved the world that He didn’t send a committee”
"For God so loved the world that He didn't send a committee" is a jocular indictment of committees that has been popular with newspaper political columnists and church preachers.…
“Good things happen when you put the puck on the net” (hockey adage)
"Good things happen when you put the puck on the net" is a hockey adage. The puck could go in the net for a score, or a score could occur from a rebound of the shot. "'I just…
“You never know how strong you are until you’re home alone and have to open your own pickles”
Pickle jars are notoriously difficult to open. "You never know how strong you are.... until you're home alone and have to open your own pickles" was cited on Twitter on October 6,…
“Between pigeons and politicians, it’s hard to keep the courthouse clean”
"Between pigeons and politicians, it's hard to keep the courthouse clean" is a jocular one-line saying. "Two reasons it is difficult to keep a courthouse clean" pigeons and…
“The peasants are revolting” (“The people are revolting”)
"The peasants/people are revolting" is a joke, playing of the meanings of "revolting" ("rebelling" and "disgusting"). The Peasants Are Revolting (1971), by…
“The U.S. dollar is the cleanest dirty shirt”
"Then I fumbled in my closet through my clothes and found my cleanest dirty shirt" is a lyric in the country song "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down." written by Kris…
“He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness”
"He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness" (or, "if you’ve forgotten the language of gratitude, you’ll never be on speaking terms…
“Alcohol…Because sometimes the truth needs a laxative”
"Alcohol...Because sometimes the truth needs a laxative" is a jocular line that was first cited on Twitter on May 30, 2013. The saying has also appeared on a snarkEcard.…
“How many college freshmen does it take to screw in a lightbulb?” (joke)
Students at one college or university often tell a joke about a rival school: Q: How many (insert college name) freshmen does it take to screw in a lightbulb?A: None. That's a sophomore-level…
“Put them in a big bowl and beat for three hours” (college football joke)
College football has a bowl playoff system. “How do you make (insert football team name) cookies?” a classic joke goes. “Put them in a big bowl and beat for three hours” is the answer. The…
“Just like our bodies, our minds need exercise ...” (joke)
"Just like our bodies, our minds need exercise. That's why I think of jogging every morning" is a joke that was cited on Twitter on April 2, 2013. "Your mind needs exercise just…
“You’re telling me a chicken fried this rice?” (chicken fried rice joke)
The Chinese restaurant dish of "chicken fried rice" is fried rice with chicken; it is not rice that is fried by a chicken. "There's no way in hell a chicken fried this…
“Our office just got a new conference table—it sleeps 16”
Workers often mentally fall asleep at some board meetings, prompting the joke: "Our office just got a new conference table. It sleeps 16." "Our office just bought a new conference…
Tunnelgeddon (tunnel + Armageddon)
"Tunnelgeddon" (tunnel + Armageddon) is the traffic nightmare of tunnel delays -- often caused by a lane closure or the closure of an entire tunnel. "Tunnelgeddon" has been…