Premox or POx (premature oxidation)
"Premox" or "POx"/"pox" (premature oxidation) is a problem that began to be noticed in the 2000s in white wines with 1990s vintages. The wines would be darker and…
Archive for 03/2015
“When two vegetarians are arguing, is it still considered beef?”
When someone has a "beef" with someone else, it means a "grudge" or a "complaint." The word "beef" does not mean "meat," but the confusion leads to…
“If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?”
"If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?" is a one-line pun on the word "testicle." "If a small quiz is a quizzical, what's a small test?" was cited in print in…
“I tried playing water polo, but my horse drowned”
Polo is played on horses; water polo is not. A popular joke is: "I tried playing water polo, but my horse drowned." The joke has been cited in print since at least 1968. 18 May 1968,…
“Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard and believe in yourself”
"Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard and believe in yourself" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many posters, usually with a picture of an eight-slice…
“The past, the present, and the future walk into a bar…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A popular English grammar bar joke is: "The past, the present, and the future walk…
“I was going to make a joke about sodium, but Na”
The symbol for the chemical element Sodium is "Na," prompting the popular joke: "I was going to make a joke about sodium, but Na." "'Hey, know any good jokes about…
“The first man gets the oyster; the second man gets the shell”
"The early bird catches the worm" is a proverb dating from at least the 17th century, and advising that the successful person gets there first. "The first man gets the oyster; the…
“If you can hit, you can play” (baseball adage)
The ability to successfully hit a baseball is a rare skill. If a player can hit, a baseball team will find a place for that player -- even if it's just the designated hitter. "If you can…
Curtain Call
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Curtain callA curtain call (often known as a walkdown or a final bow) occurs at the end of a performance when one or more performers return to the stage to be…
“Three umpires are sitting in a bar…” (baseball joke)
Professor Harvey Cantril's story about three umpires talking about how they call balls and strikes has been cited in print since at least 1957. The first umpire calls them as he sees them, and…
“Strong is the new skinny”
"Strong is the new skinny" is a fitness saying that has been printed on many posters and T-shirts."is at the gym working her ass off into a smaller version of itself. Strong is the…
“I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea”
"I'd rather be someone's shot of espresso/tequila/vodka/whiskey than everyone's cup of tea" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. Someone's…
“You gotta love it, baby!” (basketball catchphrase)
"You gotta love it" is often said about something amazing or unusual (or both). In sports, "you gotta love it" originally meant that a player had to love the game or get out.…
“Diplomacy without force is like an orchestra without instruments”
"Diplomacy without force is like an orchestra without instruments" is a saying that has been credited to several people, such as Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Frederick II (1712-1786)…
America’s Mayor
"America's mayor" is a term that has been applied to an exemplary mayor of an American city. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell (from 1992-2000) was called "America's…
“I would rather be governed by the first hundred names in the telephone book”
American conservative author and journalist William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925-2008) -- who went to Yale University -- didn't think that academics necessarily made great legislators. The New York…
Otto (football linebacker position)
"Sam, Mike and Will" (strongside, middle and weakside) are popular linebacker names, but there is also "Otto." The name "Otto" was coined by Jacksonville Jaguars head…
TPTSB or PTSB (The Powers That Shouldn’t Be)
"The powers that be, are ordeined of God” is from Romans XIII.1 of the King James Bible (1611). The term “the powers that be” has been used to describe other higher powers, such as those…
TPTB or PTB (The Powers That Be)
"The powers that be, are ordeined of God" is from Romans XIII.1 of the King James Bible (1611). The term "the powers that be" has been used to describe other higher powers, such…