Turkey Day (Thanksgiving Day)
So much turkey is eaten on Thanksgiving Day tables that the holiday is often called "turkey day." "Turkey-day" was cited in a Boston (MA) newspaper in 1835 and "turkey…
Archive for /P28560
“A green Thanksgiving means a white Christmas”
"A green Thanksgiving means a white Christmas" is a winter adage. If it doesn't snow on Thanksgiving, it will snow on Christmas. If it does snow on Thanksgiving, it will not snow on…
“Church is never out until they stop singing”
"Church is never out until they stop singing" is another way of saying "It ain't over 'til it's over." "As long as the organ is playing church is not…
“We take career advice from someone who went to college to be a guidance counselor”
Students take career advice from a guidance counselor. "It's alarming that I took all my career advice from someone who thought it would be a good idea to go to college to be a guidance…
“Diets are for people who are thick and tired of it”
"Diets are for people who are thick and tired of it" -- a pun on "sick and tired" -- has been a popular line since the 1950s. "If you're thick and tired of" has…
“People go to Weight Watchers to learn their lessens”
"People go to Weight Watchers to learn their lessens" is a pun on "learn their lessons." The dieting joke joke was cited in the newsgroup rec.humor in 1996. Google Groups:…
“How many politicians would it take to save the world?” (joke)
John Lundin wrote on Politicus USA in November 2015: "To paraphrase an old joke, 'How many politicians would it take to save the world?' Answer: 'No one knows. It’s never been…
“Dieting is the penalty for living beyond your seams”
"If you’re overweight, you’re living beyond your seams" -- a pun on "living beyond your dreams/means" -- was cited in a newspaper in 1957. "Watch the old weight.…
“A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your width”
"A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your width" is a popular one-line saying about dieting. "Diet: When You Have To Go To Some Length To Change Your Width"…
“Dieting is not a piece of cake”
"Dieting is not a piece of cake" -- a jocular use of the expression "piece of cake" -- has been printed on posters. "Dieting is no piece of cake" is a headline that…
“Is a hot dog a sandwich?” (debate question)
"Is a hot dog a sandwich?" became a popular debate question on the 2000s, but it was not always even a question. The hot dog is meat between bread and, in the 19th century and early 20th…
“No Jews need apply”
Jewish people faced discrimination in the United States -- even in New York City, where Jews are a significant part of the population. "No Jews need apply" appeard in New York City…
Times Plaza (Brooklyn)
When the New York (NY) Times newspaper moved to Longacre Square in 1904, the square was renamed "Times Square." When the Brooklyn (NY) Daily Times moved in 1914 to Flatbush, Fourth and…
Bone Alley
"Bone Alley" used to be a densely populated and filthy area of Manhattan, at Pitt Street and Willett Street. The New-York (NY) Daily Tribune of May 12, 1875 probably explains the name:…
“Salad dressing is just lettuce gravy”
Is salad dressing just lettuce gravy? "Cooks coined new word for salad dressing...'lettuce gravy' I don't know about that one..." was cited on Twitter on February 25, 2011.…
“Police are a fraternity, fire personnel are a brotherhood, and EMTs are family”
A 2015 newspaper story mentioned "an old saying in the EMT business is that police are a fraternity, fire personnel are a brotherhood and EMTs are family." It's not known how…
Bandits’ Roost (59 Mulberry Street)
"Bandits' Roost" was located at 59 Mulberry Street. It was destroyed in the 1890s to create Mulberry Bend Park, now known as Columbus Park. The name "Bandits' Roost,"…
Thieves’ Alley (5 Norfolk Street)
"Thieves' Alley" was a criminal area located at 5 Norfolk Street. It was destroyed in the 1890s to create Mulberry Bend Park, now known as Columbus Park. "Thieves'…
Kerosene Row
"Kerosene Row" was an area of Mulberry Bend that was prone to fires. It was destroyed in the 1890s to create Mulberry Bend Park, now known as Columbus Park. "Kerosene Row" was…
“Laughter is the closest distance between two people”
"Laughter is the closest/shortest distance between two people" has been credited to Danish comedian and pianist Victor Borge (1908-2000), who used several variations of this saying.…