The Big Apple
About Archives Categories Index Search
About Archives Categories Index Search

August 20, 2022
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A penny found is worth more than a penny earned because a penny earned is taxed”

"A penny saved is a penny earned" is an old proverb. This variation was posted on Reddit -- Showerthoughts on February 4, 2022: "A penny found is worth more than a penny earned-…

August 7, 2018
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A penny saved is actually more valuable than a penny earned because you don’t pay taxes on it”

"A penny saved is a penny earned" is a proverb about money that has been cited in print since at least the 1600s. Many people have pointed out that a penny saved is worth more than a…

March 19, 2012
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A penny saved is ridiculous”

"A penny saved is a penny earned" is often falsely attributed to Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), but forms of the saying date to the 1600s. "A penny saved is ridiculous" is a…

November 12, 2010
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A pie doesn’t grow through its slicing”

The popular book A Random Walk Down Wall Street (1999) stated: "These studies lend support to the old Wall Street maxim, 'A pie doesn't grow through its slicing.'" A pie…

September 28, 2011
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A quick nickel is better than a slow dime”

"A fast/quick nickel is better than a slow dime/quarter/dollar" means that a smaller profit (with greater volume) can be better for business than a potentially larger profit (with less…

June 28, 2018
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A Rastafarian walks into a bank with a bag of marijuana. He wanted to open a joint account”

A joke about a "joint" bank account has been cited in print since at least 2009: "A Rastafarian walks into a bank with a huge bag of dagga wanting to open a joint account."…

January 14, 2009
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; a depression is when you lose your job”

One definition of recession and depression was a favorite of presidents Harry S. Truman and Ronald Reagan. "A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; a depression is when you lose…

July 12, 2013
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money”

"A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money" means that people are the same; having more or less money doesn't make one a better person. The saying has been frequently…

October 15, 2008
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A rising tide lifts all boats” (Wall Street proverb)

In a 1963 speech pledging the continued defense of Europe, President John F. Kennedy stated: "As they say on my own Cape Cod, 'A rising tide lifts all the boats.'" Since at…

October 8, 2008
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A rolling loan gathers no loss” (banking adage)

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: A rolling stone gathers no mossA rolling stone gathers no moss is a proverb. HistoryIt is often credited to the Sententiae of Publilius Syrus, and roughly…

June 15, 2006
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A seat on the New York Stock Exchange is a license to steal”

Former New York Stock Exchange head Richard Grasso received a $200 million pay package. It's been alleged that he received the large amount to look the other way at NYSE abuses. Ken Langone…

December 15, 2021
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A snowbank implies the existence of snowmoney”

A snowbank is a mound of snow. It's not like a bank that has money, but there are jokes. "Snowbanks multiplying everyday...gonna withdraw me some snowmoney #SnowStacks" was posted on…

December 20, 2024
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A sock of pennies is a great weapon. You never know when you’ll need to beat some cents into someone”

"Cents" shouldn't be confused with "sense," but there are jokes. This was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on March 15, 2023: "A sock of pennies is a great weapon. You…

November 4, 2008
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A stock doesn’t know where it has been” or “A stock doesn’t know you own it” (Wall Street proverb)

"A stock doesn't know you own it" is a proverb that's been used by financial writer "Adam Smith" (George Goodman) in the 1960s and also investor Warren Buffett. The…

October 16, 2008
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A stock is worth what someone is willing to pay for it” (Wall Street adage)

What is a stock worth? An old Wall Street adage has it that a stock is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The pricing phrase dates to at least the 1800s. 17 December 1882, Grand Forks…

May 27, 2020
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A stock market crash is worse than a divorce. You lose half your money & your wife is still around”

"A stock market crash is worse than a divorce. You lose half your money and your wife is still around" is a jocular line that has been printed on many images. "Found on FB 'A…

July 27, 2012
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A ton of money” (a large amount of money)

"A ton of money" means a lot of money. A "ton" metaphorically means any large amount; a physical ton of dollars is worth $908,000 and a physical ton of pennies is worth $3,632.…

June 25, 2017
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A tragedy is a ship full of bankers sinking. A catastrophe is when they can all swim”

A joke about bankers is: Q: What's the difference between a tragedy and a catastrophe?A: A tragedy is a ship full of bankers going down in a storm. A catastrophe is when they can all swim. The…

July 26, 2013
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty”

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands/pockets are empty" is a popular saying about fathers. "FRESHLY MINTED -- A truly rich man is one who can get…

November 27, 2012
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“About the time we think we can make both ends meet, somebody moves the ends”

"About the time we think we can make both ends meet, somebody moves the ends" has been credited to politician Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) and to writer Pansy Penner (1905-2000) in the…

Previous
1 2 3 4 5
Next
Last

About the Website and Editor

BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

Read more About the Website and Editor
About
Privacy Policy
RSS

© 2026 Barry Popik. All rights reserved.