War Chest
A political "war chest" is the amount of money a political candidate or a political party has raised to spend in an election ("the war"). A physical "chest" is not…
Archive for /P36360
“The bull walks up the stairs and the bear jumps out the window”
"The bull walks up the stairs and thee bear jumps out the window" means that a market drops ("bear") faster than it rises ("bull"). The saying has been cited in print…
“(When you) Get a hunch, bet a bunch”
"(When you) Get a hunch, bet a bunch" has been a gambling saying since at least 1937. The saying was also adopted by the racetrack, with this ending: "Get a hunch and bet a bunch --…
Origin of “Hoosier” (Indiana nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: HoosierHoosier (pronounced /ˈhuːʒər/) is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. State of Indiana. Although residents of most U.S. states typically…
Christocrat (Christian + -ocrat)
The term "Christocrat" (Christian + -ocrat) has been used in Texas since at least 1994 and was popularized by the September 2006 profile of David Barton in Texas Monthly titled "King…
Republitard (Republican + retard)
"Republitard" (Republican + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political left against the political right. "Republitard" has been cited in print since April 2002. Similar…
“You can’t legislate morality/common sense/prosperity”
Legislation has its limits, and it has long been known that legislation alone cannot change the innate character of citizens. "You can neither legislate a man into virtue nor vice" was…
“Don’t mistake activity for achievement”
Professor Mabel Newcomer (1892-1983) told her Vassar freshman class in September 1935: "You are the generation about to come into control and must prepare for this responsibility. Do not fill…
“A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch”
"A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch" is a popular saying among people who aren't fond of consultants. Advertising executive…
“Everyone thinks politicians are corrupt, except the ones they vote for”
"Everyone thinks politicians are corrupt, except the ones they vote for" (or "Every politician is corrupt except mine" or "Every Congressman is corrupt except mine")…
Mumblecore
"Mumblecore" films have low budgets, unknown actors and often improvised scripts, with the actors seemingly mumbling their lines. Sound editor Eric Masunaga coined the term while at…
“Every reporter is a hope; every editor is a disappointment”
Newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) is credited with saying in 1899: "Every reporter is a hope and every editor is a disappointment." Pulitzer (the Pulitzer prizes are named…
“If you’re not catching flak, you’re not over the target”
"Flak" (anti-aircraft fire) became a widely used term during World War II. "If you're not catching flak, you're not over the target" (or "If you're catching…
“Don’t let your mouth write checks your body can’t cash”
"Don't let your mouth write a check (or "checks") your body (or "ass") can't cash" has been used in black English since at least the 1960s. Comedian Flip…
“The governor proposes and the legislature disposes”
"Man proposes, (but) God disposes" is an old proverb, indicating that God is the final arbiter of proposals. "The governor proposes and the legislature disposes" is a state…
“Never trust a skinny chef”
"Never trust a skinny chef" (or "Never trust a skinny cook") is a saying that has been printed on many images. The implication is that a skinny chef doesn't eat much of his…
“The people get the government they deserve”
Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) wrote in 1811: "Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle merite." ("Every nation has the government it deserves.") De Maistre was credited with…
“Communism is the opiate of the intellectuals”
Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote in 1843: "It (religion -- ed.) is the opium of the people." The quotation is often given as: "Religion is the opium/opiate of the masses/people."…
“Unsustainable is the new normal” (“Fiscal crisis is the new normal”)
The United States entered a fiscal crisis in 2007-2008, with both the federal government and most states deeply in debt. In January 2010, Stephen Goldsmith, a professor at the John F. Kennedy…
“Tomorrow Happens Here” (SXSW slogan)
"Tomorrow Happens Here" has been the non-trademarked slogan of Austin's SXSW (South by Southwest) festival since 2009. SXSW contains a music festival, a film festival and interactive…