Have Yachts (from “haves and have nots”)
The world has "haves" (the rich) and "have nots" (the poor). A new category is sometimes added -- the "have yachts" (mega-rich). A battle between the "haves"…
Archive for 11/2015
“I’m a chemical engineer. I convert beer and wine into urine”
The "convert beer into urine joke" has been popular since at least the 1990s. About 2008, a joke called the "Wisdom of a Retiree" circulated from an uncredited source:…
“When I told the doctor about my loss of memory, he made me pay in advance”
Several businesses require pay in advance. A popular 1915 joke involves a doctor: She -- I saw the doctor today about my loss of memory.He -- What did he do?She -- Made me pay in advance. -- London…
“I ate four cans of alphabet soup and had the biggest vowel movement ever”
"I ate four cans of alphabet soup and had the biggest vowel movement ever" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on posters and ecards. The "vowel movement" (vowel…
Sailor Sandwich
The "sailor sandwich" began in 1943 at the New York Deli in Richmond, Virginia, where it was served to the many sailors who were customers during World War II. According to the New York…
“Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life”
"Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life" is a popular one-line saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1977. 27 October…
“I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off”
"I can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off" went viral on Twitter on November 19, 2010. The one-liner has been included on many jokes…
“Talent recognizes talent”
"Talent recognizes talent" is a saying used in sports, entertainment and other business enterprises. A good basketball player, for example, will recognize another good basketball player…
“Strong people don’t put others down. They lift them up”
"Strong people don't put others down. They lift them up" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many posters. "Strong people don't put other people down, they…
“What’s the difference between a hockey game and a boxing match?” (joke)
Hockey is known for its fights, and a popular joke is: Q: What's the difference between a hockey game and a prize fight?A: In a hockey game, the fights are real. The joke has been cited in…
Dirt-poor
Someone who is "dirt-poor" is extremely poor, owning little except, perhaps, dirt. The expression began in the United States in the second half of the 19th century, although it's not…
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect”
Entry in progress -- B.P."Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. TwitterRyan…
“We don’t need shooters, we need makers” (basketball adage)
Basketball teams need shooters, but basketball coaches often correct this with, "We don't need shooters. We need makers." That is, a team needs accurate shooters. "Some people…
“What news on the Rialto?” (Rialto theatre district)
"The Rialto" was the 14th Street theatre district. The theatre district has long since moved uptown, and "the Rialto" is no longer used. The term was extremely popular in the…
Heartbreak Hotel (Ramada Plaza JFK Hotel)
The Ramada Plaza JFK Hotel (at JFK Airport) was called "Heartbreak Hotel" (also the title of a 1956 Elvis Presley song) in July 1996, when it housed grieving family members of those who…
“I got kicked out of ballet class because I pulled a groin muscle. It wasn’t mine”
A dancer's career often involves injuries. Comedian Rita Rudner started as a dancer on Broadway, until she suffered an injury. "I pulled a groin muscle," Rudner said in 1988.…
Neoconner (neocon + conner)
"Neoconner" (neocon + conner) was the headline of a Leslie H. Gelb book review in the New York (NY) Times on April 27, 2008, about Aram Roston's book,The Man Who Pushed America to…
“The aim of a college education is to teach you to know a good man when you see one”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe Harvard Educational Review1968Pg. 227:It was, for example, President Burton of Smith College who used to say to his girls, "the purpose of a college…
“My new boss told me to be on call 24/7. I don’t mind as July 24th is ages away”
"24/7" means "24 hours a day, 7 days a week" -- all the time. It does not mean "July 24th," but there have been several jokes about that. "You work 24/7? Wow, I…
Sausage Sandwich
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe True Story of My Life: A SketchBy Hans Christian AndersenTranslated by Mary HowittLondon: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans1847Pp. 37-38:A few women, who…