“Don’t sell the steak—sell the sizzle”
Elmer Wheeler (1903-1968) created the Tested Selling Institute, a one-employee firm at 321 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Wheeler's 1937 book, Tested Sentences That Sell, included his famous…
Buildings/Housing/Parks
“Don’t send a boy to do a man’s job”
"Don't send a boy to do a man's job/work" means that one should not have someone do what that person cannot do. "Hire a boy to do a man's business; he will make up his…
“Don’t send my boy to Texas” (Oklahoma University song)
"Don't send my boy to Texas" was a song sung by Oklahoma University students at Texas-Oklahoma football games, dating to at least the 1940s. "Don't send my boy to…
“Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm”
"You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm" (or "Don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm") is a saying that has been printed on many…
“Don’t short new highs or buy new lows”
"Don't sell/short new highs or buy new lows" is stock market advice that some follow and others do not. Many stock market analysts believe that it's not possible to call the top…
“Don’t smoke, drink or chew, or run with boys who do”
"Don't smoke, drink or chew, or run with boys/girls who do" is a popular Christian saying in the United States. The precise origin of the rhyme is unknown. "Me?...I never…
“Don’t stand outside and be miserable; come inside and get fed up” (restaurant sign)
"Don't stand outside and be miserable -- come inside and be/get fed up!" is a one-line food joke that appeared in restaurant windows across the country by 1965. The joke is of…
“Don’t stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed”
"Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying has been credited to New York-born actor and comedian George Burns…
“Don’t steal—the government hates competition”
"Don't steal -- (the) government hates (the) competition" has been a saying on bumper stickers and T-shirts since about 1984. It is not known who originated the popular saying. U.S.…
“Don’t steal my tools. I need them to pay your benefits” (commercial vehicle sign)
"Don't rob/steal my tools. I need them to pay your benefits" is a commercial vehicle sign that has been printed on many images. "DON'T ROB MY TOOLS, I NEED THEM TO PAY YOUR…
“Don’t stop and throw stones at every dog that barks” (business adage)
"Cast not a stone at every dog that barks" is a proverb that has been cited since at least 1579. British statesman Winston Churchill (1874-1965) said in 1923: "You will never get to…
“Don’t stop until you’re proud”
"Don't stop until you're proud" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. Many inspirational gym posters feature the saying. The "Don't stop until…
“Don’t stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done”
"Don't stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. "DONT STOP WHEN YOU ARE TIRED, STOP WHEN YOU ARE…
“Don’t stress if someone says you are fat. You are bigger than that”
The expression "to be bigger than" means that someone is "above" a small matter. "My mate asked me if he should punch the guy who told him he was fat as a walrus. I said,…
“Don’t stress. Do your best. Forget the rest”
"Don't stress. Do your best. Forget the rest" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many images. "DO your best, forget the rest" was printed in a 1915…
“Don’t sweat the small stuff”
"Don't sweat the small stuff" became a popular saying from books such as Michael R. Mantell's Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: P.S., It's All Small Stuff (1988) and…
“Don’t take any wooden nickels”
"Don't take any wooden money/nickels" means "don't be cheated/duped." "Don't take any wooden nickels or bad checks" was cited in 1903 and…
“Don’t take candy from strangers”
"Don't take candy from strangers" is a popular admonition that parents give to children. In July 1874, Charley Ross (age four) was lured from his Philadelphia home by strangers…
“Don’t talk about rope in a hanged man’s house”
"Don't talk about rope in a hanged man's house" (that is, don't bring up a sore point) is an old Spanish proverb. "Where have you found that 'tis good naming the…
“Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee. Also, I don’t drink coffee”
"Don't talk to me until I've had my coffee" is what one worker might say to another in the morning. An anti-social worker might add, "I don't drink coffee." That…