John Chinaman (John Confucius)
"John Chinaman" is a term used to describe someone of Chinese descent that was popular in the 19th century. "John Chinaman" was cited in print in 1826 and "John…
Archive for /P27500
“I was addicted to the Hokey-Pokey, but I turned myself around”
The Hokey-Pokey dance has the singer explain to the dancers: “You put your (leg/arm) in, you put your (leg/arm) out, you put your (leg/arm) in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey-Pokey…
“Alternative medicine that works is called medicine”
"Alternative medicine that works is called medicine" is a medical saying of uncertain origin. "If any 'alternative therapy' ever cured cancer it would be called…
“The closest I’ve been to a diet is erasing food searches from my browser history”
American comedian Pauly Casillas tweeted on January 7, 2013: "The closest I've been to a diet this year is erasing food searches from my browser history." The line says "this…
NYJew (New York University or NYU nickname)
New York University (NYU) is a private university in New York City that was founded in 1831. NYU has been nicknamed "NYJew" because a large number of its students and professors are (or…
“For men who think a woman’s place is in the kitchen…” (joke)
"A woman's place is in the kitchen" is an old saying that is no longer politically correct, so there have been variations made. "For men who think a woman's place is in the…
“How’s the weather up there?” (said to a tall person)
"How's the weather up there?" is a jocular line said to a very tall person. "How's the weather up there?" has been cited in print since at least 1886 -- when a…
“Why should you be afraid of a white man in prison?” (prison joke)
Black males are disproportionately arrested and jailed in the United States, leading to the prison joke: Q: Why should you be afraid of a white man in prison? A: Because you know he’s guilty.…
“Why are horses always so fit?”/“They’re on a stable diet.”
A popular joke about a "stable diet" is: Q: Why are most horses so slim?A: They are on a stable diet. This joke was cited on Twitter on December 30, 2012. The "stable diet"…
“Can you use ‘Mountain Dew’ in a sentence?” (“Mount and Do” pun)
Mountain Dew is a carbonated soft drink that was invented in 1940. A popular joke on the name is: Girl: "Can you use 'Mountain Dew' in a sentence?"Guy: "Yes, can I…
“Watching too much television gives you square eyes” (Square-eyed)
The joke when television was new (in the 1950s) was that watching too much television gave viewers "square eyes." Actor and comedian Bob Hope (1903-2003) joked in August 1957, "The…
“There is no education in the second kick of a mule”
"There's no education in the second kick of a mule" is a proverb meaning that one should have learned the lesson the first time. L. Mendel Rivers (1905-1970), a Democratic U.S.…
“How do weathermen get up a mountain?”/“They climate.”
A weather pun is: Q: How do weathermen get up a mountain?A: They climate. "How do meteorologists make their way up the corporate ladder? They climate" was cited on Twitter on February 12,…
“You can get more with a kind word and a gun than with just a kind word”
Brooklyn-born comedian Irwin Corey said in 1953: ""My philosophy is you can get more with a kind word and a gun than with just a kind word." In Parade magazine in 1969, Corey…
“There is no education in the second kick of a mule”
"There's no education in the second kick of a mule" is a proverb meaning that one should have learned the lesson the first time. L. Mendel Rivers (1905-1970), a Democratic U.S.…
“God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things…”
American cartoonist Bill Watterson wrote a popular line in the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes: "God put me on this Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind…
“The best pass defense is a good pass rush” (football adage)
In American football, the best pass defense is said to be a good pass rush -- not good pass protection. A good quarterback, if given enough time to operate, can beat good pass protection. The pass…
“Don’t pay for saves” (fantasy baseball adage)
"Don't pay for saves" (or "Never pay for saves") is a fantasy baseball adage that was popularized by ESPN fantasy sports analyst Matthew Berry. "You remember me saying…
“You can’t fake desperation (sports adage)
"You can't fake desperation" (or "You can't fake desperate") is a sports adage that was popularized by ESPN Radio sports host Ryen Russillo. If a team or a player is…
“This vehicle protected by anti-theft sticker” (bumper sticker)
"Vehicle insured by Smith & Wesson" is a bumper sticker purporting to alert potential thieves that the vehicle's owner carries a gun (Smith & Wesson). "This vehicle…