Chinese Hamburger (Rou Jia Mo)
Rou jia mo (also spelled as "roujiamo") is a meat sandwich specialty from China's Shaanxi Province. Pork, lamb, beef, chicken or another filling is stewed with spices (such as…
Archive for 06/2015
Butterfield Effect (Butterfield Fallacy; Butterfield Paradox)
The "Butterfield effect" (sometimes called the 'Butterfield fallacy" or the "Butterfield paradoz") is named after former New York (NY) Times journalist Fox…
“The Supreme Court isn’t final because it’s supreme, it’s supreme because it’s final”
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954) wrote in the concurring opinion in Brown v. Allen (1953): "There is no doubt that if there were a super-Supreme Court, a substantial…
“Franklin may have discovered electricity, but the meter inventor made the money”
"Old Ben Franklin may have discovered electricity, but it took that lad who invented the meter to capitalize on it" is a jocular one-line saying that has been frequently reprinted. The…
“Bilingual education makes you illiterate in two languages”
"Bilingual education makes you illiterate in two languages" is an old satiric remark about bilingual education. "One delegate said that in Eire, people are rapidly becoming…
“Baseball is weird”
"Baseball is weird" (or "baseball is a weird game") is a common saying. Unlike sports such as football, basketball, hockey and soccer, there is no clock is baseball. There is no…
Cop Killa Queenz (Queens)
Queens is one of the five boroughs of New York City; it has the largest area and the second-largest population. The rap nickname of Queens is "Cop Killa Queenz/Queens" (or just…
“Never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions”
"Don't/Never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions/feelings" is a saying that has been printed on many posters. "You should never make permanent decisions based…
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”
"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying is usually attributed to…
“Popping a cell” (Rikers slang)
New York magazine published a cover story about the Rikers Island correctional facility on June 28, 2015. A recent inmate explained what "popping" a cell means: "I learned how to get…
“Revenge is served cold. Revenge is sweet. Therefore, revenge is ice cream”
"Revenge is a dish best served cold" is an old proverb. "Revenge is sweet" is another old proverb. The two proverbs are sometimes combined to form a joke that has been printed…
“Does running late count as exercise?”
"Does running late count as exercise?" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts, ecards and bumper stickers. "Does running…
“The only reason I’m fat is because a tiny body couldn’t store all this personality”
"The only reason I'm fat is because a tiny body couldn't store all this personality" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was cited on…
“In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate”
"In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate" is a proverb that American science fiction author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) wrote in Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain…
“Self-education is the only kind of education there is”
American author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) wrote or edited more than 500 books, covering many different subjects. Asimov wrote about self-education in Science Past, Science Future (1975): "I…
Supreme Dorks (U.S. Supreme Court nickname)
The U.S. Supreme Court was established in the United States Constitution in 1789 and is the highest federal court in the Untied States. "Supreme Dorks" is an unflattering nickname that…
“1. Bel canto, 2. Can belto, 3. Can’t belto, 4. Can’t canto” (four stages of a soprano’s life)
New York-born Ira Siff created La Gran Scena Opera Co. in 1981, often featuring Siff's diva character, Madame Vera Galupe-Borszkh. In the recording "Forgeef Me My Enklish": the Wit…
“Where do cows go on vacation?”/“Moo York.”
A popular silly riddle is told about New York: Q: Where do cows go on vacation?A: Moo York. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1978. "Where do eggs go on vacation?"/"New…
“Where do eggs go on vacation?”/“New Yolk City.”
A popular silly riddle is told about New York: Q: Where do eggs go on vacation? A: New Yolk City. The "Where do eggs go on vacation?" joke has been cited in print since at least 2009.…
“Chicken, airplane, soldier” (backstroke swimming)
"Chicken, airplane, soldier" is how many swim instructors explain the backstroke to young swimmers. Hands are under the armpits (like a chicken), then arms are spread directly out (like…