“They don’t make things like they used to—and they never did”
"They don't make things like they used to" is an old lament that has had been said about many things. "They don't make plays or do anything now like they used to" was…
Archive for 07/2015
“Salesmanship begins when the customer says no”
"Salesmanship begins when the customer says no" is a business saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as coffee mugs and posters. The saying has been cited in print since at…
“Conspiracy theorists are all so dumb that I suspect they’ve been planted by a secret organization”
"Conspiracy theorists are all so dumb that I suspect they’ve been planted by a secret organization to distract us from what’s really going on" is a jocular one-liner that was cited on…
“He gave a fireside chat and the fire went out” (joke)
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt held radio "fireside chats" to communicate with American citizens. In September 1975, Washington Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (1912-1983)…
“Every country has an army, but in Pakistan/Prussia/U.S., the army has a country”
French political leader Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau (1749-1791) is credited with saying, "Prussia was not a country with an army, but an army with a country." The saying…
“We want a batter, not a broken ladder”
"We want a batter, not a broken ladder" is a baseball chant that has been popular in the Little League. The chant has been cited in print since at least 2000. GameFAQs Backyard…
“We want a pitcher, not a glass of water”
"We want a pitcher, not a glass of water!" (a pun on the word "pitcher") is a baseball chant that has long been popular in the Little League. The chant has been cited in print…
“Behind every great man is a great woman”
"Behind every great man is a great woman" is an old saying of unknown authorship. The following was cited in many newspapers in 1884: "There has nearly always been a good wife behind…
“A priest, a rabbi and a minister 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 joke on the joke is: "A priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar. The…
“Up the river, down the lake; the pitcher’s got a bellyache”
There are many baseball chants that the crowd (or the opposing team's players) yell to fluster a pitcher. "Down the river, by the lake, the pitcher's got a bellyache" was cited…
Rhubarb (a heated dispute)
The term "rhubarb" (meaning a heated dispute) is sometimes said to have started in 1938 or 1939, when a Brooklyn Dodgers fan shot and killed a New York Giants fan in an argument. New York…
“You don’t have to get it right. You just have to get it going”
"You don't have to get it right. You just have to get it going" is a popular saying with many entrepreneurs. Almost nothing is perfect at the start, so that shouldn't prevent…
“Just like New York” (“Just like downtown”)
"Just like downtown" is a saying that became popular in 1949-1950. "Downtown" means the place of excitement, where the lights are bright and there is shopping and entertainment.…
“Behind every successful woman is herself”
"Behind every great man is a great woman" is an old saying. "Behind every successful woman is herself" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters and…
“It’s sherbert day” (sherbet + birthday)
"It's sherbert day" (sherbet + birthday) is a pun that's been printed on posters and T-shirts. "It's sherbert day!" was cited on Twitter on August 24, 2011.…
“Work hard in silence; let success make the noise”
"Work hard in silence; let success make the noise" is a motivational saying that has been printed on posters. "Work hard in silence and let your success make all the noise" was…
“Teacher—A person who helps you solve problems you’d never have without them”
"Teacher (noun) -- a person who helps you solve problems you'd never have without them" is a jocular definition that has been printed on posters. The definition first appeared on the…
Poshtel (posh + hostel)
A "poshtel" (posh + hostel) is a hostel that also offers "posh" amenities, such as a swimming pool or a gourmet restaurant. The concept started in Europe, but quickly spread…
Impregnable Quadrilateral (golf’s four major events)
American golfer Bobby Jones (1902-1971) won four major golf tournaments in a single calendar year -- the United States Amateur Championship, United States Open, British Amateur and British Open.…
“This is a nonprofit organization. We didn’t plan it that way”
A popular "nonprofit organization" joke began in 1954: "Sign on a Queens auto agency: 'This is a non-profit organization. We didn't plan it that way -- that's just the…