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July 17, 2020
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Any room is a panic room if you have lost your phone in it”

"Any room is a panic room if you have lost your phone in it" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Any room is a panic room, if you've lost your phone in it"…

June 28, 2022
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Apartment complex implies the existence of a togetherment simple”

Many people have suggested that "apartments" should really be called "togetherments." "Inaccurate Euphemisms. Why are lodging to let almost always advertised not as…

June 27, 2022
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Apartments should be called togetherments”

Many people have suggested that "apartments" should really be called "togetherments." "Inaccurate Euphemisms. Why are lodging to let almost always advertised not as…

March 10, 2013
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Architects cover their mistakes with ivy”

“Surgeons can bury their mistakes, but we architects have to cover ours with ivy" is usually credited to architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). Wright gave a 1931 Art Institute of Chicago…

March 17, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way”

"As you slide down the ban(n)ister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many images. "A toast to the bride and…

June 19, 2024
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“At least mosquitoes find me attractive”

"I don't care what people think of me. At least mosquitoes find me attractive" is a saying that has been printed on many images. That is, by "find me attractive" it's…

September 29, 2019
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Attention Thieves: Please carry ID so we can notify next of kin”

"Attention Thieves: Please carry ID so we can notify next of kin" (or "Burglars please carry ID so we can notify next of kin") is a sign that has been printed on many images.…

December 31, 2024
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Bathroom hand dryers are amazing if you want to kill a few minutes before wiping your hands on your pants”

Bathroom hand dryers almost never work well, and users ultimately have to wipe their hands on their pants. "Bathroom hand dryers are amazing if you want to kill a few minutes before wiping…

August 9, 2021
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Beanbags are boneless sofas”

Bean bag chairs have been described as "boneless sofas," the description became popular in June/July 2017 and is of uncertain origin. "what fool called them beanbag chairs instead of…

June 4, 2021
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Behind every great man is the drawer I need to get into. Why are you even in the kitchen right now”

"Behind every great man is a great(er) woman" is an old saying. Women are often in the kitchen -- a place where most men shouldn't be. This jocular variation was posted on Twitter by…

July 17, 2013
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Berries white, a poisonous sight” (poison ivy adage)

Poison ivy has white berries in the fall, but the harmless Virginia creeper has red berries. The rhyme "Berries white, poisonous sight! Berries red, have no dread!" has been cited in…

March 11, 2018
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Best friends don’t care if your house is clean. They care if you have wine”

"Best friends don't care if your house is clean. They care if you have wine" is a wine saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was posted on Twitter on October 4,…

September 24, 2024
Buildings/Housing/ParksPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Beware of dog kisses” (sign)

"Beware of dog" is a popular sign. "Beware of dog kisses" is a sign that has been printed on many images. The sign became popular in 2011 and 2012. "Beware of Dog Kisses by…

February 15, 2020
Buildings/Housing/ParksPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Beware of the dog. And the cat is not trustworthy, either”

"Beware of (the) dog. And the cat is not trustworthy, either" is a jocular sign that has been printed on many images. “Beware of the dog. And the cat is not trustworthy either!” was…

June 29, 2023
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Beware of…well…just beware”

"Beware of...well...just beware" is a jocular property saying that has been printed on many images. The property owner might have a dog or a gun to protect the property. "One of my…

January 6, 2025
Buildings/Housing/ParksPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Beware: Dog can’t hold its licker” (sign)

"Beware: Dog can't hold its licker" (or "Caution: Dog can't hold its licker") is a jocular "liquor"/"licker" sign saying that has been printed on…

September 25, 2017
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Bricks are domesticated rocks”

Some homes are made of brick, so does that mean that brick is domesticated? "A brick is a domesticated rock" was posted on Twitter by Julie Resigned on November 3, 2013. "Bricks are…

April 18, 2023
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Bring back $10 Chinese food, $600 apartments & $20 full tanks”

Inflation (in food, rent and gas) has many people nostalgic. This was posted on Twitter by Maxmillion (the screen name was changed to "poverty baby") on August 16, 2021, and received over…

June 25, 2005
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Bubbles are for bathtubs” (housing bubble)

Housing bubble? What housing bubble? Do you mean that the space of a closet doesn't normally cost half a million dollars? "Bubbles" are for bathtubs" is a slogan that is making…

December 12, 2019
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Building 7 didn’t demolish itself”

"Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself" became a popular meme in 2019, referring to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein (1953-2019), who allegedly hung himself in his Metropolitan Correctional…

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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.

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