Joe College
"Joe College" is a college boy. The term was first used to a college-age boy who devotes much time to extra curricular activities; later use of "Joe College" has placed less…
Archive for /P29800
“Oversold can become more oversold” (Wall Street adage)
"Oversold can become more oversoldt" (or "oversold can stay oversold") is a Wall Street adage. If people are still selling, then it might still be time to sell. "Oversold…
“All show and no go”
"All show and no go" means someone (such as an athlete) or something (such as a race car) that looks good, but doesn't have a winning performance. "All show -- no go" was…
“Steal a hot stove and then come back for the smoke” (brazen criminal)
A person who can "steal a hot stove and then come back for the smoke" is a brazen criminal. Not surprisingly, the remark has often been directed at politicians. American playwright,…
Big Apple book by Gerald Cohen, Barry Popik (1991, 2011)
Gerald Cohen of the University of Missouri-Rolla (now named Missouri University of Science and Technology) published Origin of New York City's Nickname "The Big Apple" in 1991. The…
“A country with a government” (“A government with a country”)
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) said in his inaugural address as president on January 20, 1981: "We are a nation that has a government—not the other way around. And this makes us special among the…
Bumpitrage (bump + arbitrage)
"Bumptrage" (bump + arbitrage) occurs when a deal is arrange (for example, a deal to buy a company). Activists then threaten the deal unless demands are met (for example, a…
“How do you know when a drummer is at your door?” (joke)
One popular drummer joke (among many) is: Q: How can you tell when there's a drummer at your door?A: The knocking speeds up. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1993. Google…
“A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure”
"Diamonds are only lumps of coal that stuck to their jobs" is the first line of a much-reprinted 1922 poem by Minnie Richards Smith. "He was a pessimist that said a diamond is only a…
“Happiness lies in our own backyard, but it’s probably well hidden by crabgrass”
"Happiness lies in our own backyard, but it's probably well hidden by crabgrass" is a jocular quotation that has been printed on several posters. The quotation has been cited in…
“Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time”
"Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time" is a saying that has beenprinted on many posters. The quote has been cited on Twitter since August 18, 2011. The…
Little Ireland (Woodlawn, Bronx)
Woodlawn, in the Bronx, has had Irish residents since at least the 1840s, when Irish immigrants helped dig the Old Croton Aqueduct. The nickname "Little Ireland," however, wasn't…
Little Sri Lanka (Tompkinsville, Staten Island)
The northeastern Staten Island neighborhood of Tompkinsville has one of the largest Sri Lankan communities outside of that country. The name "Little Sri Lanka" has been in use since at…
“If you can’t find the key to success, pick the lock”
"If you can't find the key to success, pick the lock" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many posters. "Thomas Edison says hard work is the key to success. So…
“Change doesn’t come from Washington; change comes to Washington”
Presidential nominee Barack Obama said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on August 28, 2008: "You understand that in this election the greatest risk we could take…
“How many sopranos does it take to screw in a light bulb?” (joke)
Singers have popular jokes on how many it takes to screw in a lightbulb: Q: How many sopranos does it take to change a lightbulb? A: One. She holds the bulb and the world revolves around her.A:…
“Why do choruses travel so often?” (joke)
Choral groups and musicians travel a lot, leading to the joke: Q: Why do choruses travel so often? A: Keep assassins guessing. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1997. Jeff…
“What’s the difference between a soprano and a terrorist?” (joke)
Sopranos (divas) have a reputation of being difficult to work with. A popular joke is: Q: What's the difference between a soprano and a terrorist? A: You can negotiate with a terrorist. The…
“Doctors pour drugs of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less”
"Doctors pour drugs of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, into human beings of whom they know nothing" was credited to the French writer and philosopher…
“Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn’t illegal”
"Ice cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal" is often credited to the French writer and philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) and has been printed on many gift items. There is…