“... And all I got was this lousy T-shirt”
People often return home from vacation destinations with souvenir T-shirts. "My parents went to Florida and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" is a typical jocular saying. "Mom and…
“Come on Vacation, Leave on Probation”
"Come on vacation, leave on probation" probably started in Florida, but the saying has spread to other vacation towns. In 1986-1987, Fort Lauderdale police arrested many of the disruptive…
“Disney World is like a huge people trap that is operated by a mouse”
"Disneyland/Disney World is a people trap set by a mouse" is a joke that has been printed on many images. Disneyland opened in California in 1955; Disney World was opened in Florida in…
“Don’t Canada my Florida”
"Don't Canada my America/Florida/Texas" is a saying that has been printed on several images. Canada has many socialist programs, while states like Florida and Texas have been…
“Don’t New York my Florida”
"Don't New York my Florida" is a saying that has been printed on many images. New York is a blue state (Democrat) and Florida is mostly a red state (Republican). The message is that…
“Don’t NY my Florida”
"Don't New York my Florida" is a saying that has been printed on many images. New York is a blue state (Democrat) and Florida is mostly a red state (Republican). The message is that…
“Florida—Land of Good Living”
"Land of Good Living" was a short-lived Florida slogan of the 1950s. 10 July 1955, Chicago Daily Tribune, pg. J8 ad:Explore All Florida...land of good livingState of Florida 2 January…
“Florida—Land of Newlyweds and Nearly Deads”
Florida has been called the land of "newlyweds and nearly deads." The same has been applied to Hawaii, California, Atlantic City, and other places. Google BooksThe Rough Guide to Florida…
“Florida—The Rules Are Different Here”
"Florida -- The Rules Are Different Here" was a state promotional slogan that began in 1986. It is still used derisively, whenever someone wants to break the rules. 19 October 1986,…
“Florida kilos imply the existence of Florida ounces”
The abbreviation "fl. oz." stands for "fluid ounces." A joke has it that some people think this means "Florida ounces." Some people who grew up in Florida actually…
“Florida ounces imply the existence of California ounces”
The abbreviation "fl. oz." stands for "fluid ounces." A joke has it that some people think this means "Florida ounces." Some people who grew up in Florida actually…
“Florida weather be throwing out temperatures like Powerball numbers”
"Mother Nature (Florida/ New York/ Texas) just be throwing out temperatures like Powerball numbers" -- that is, randomly, with cold temperatures one day and hot the next -- is a saying…
“Gateway to Discovery” (or “Gateway to the Moon”)
"Gateway to Discovery" is on the official Florida quarter. However, "Gateway to the Moon" was used as early as 1958. It's the same idea. Florida coinFloridaThe Florida…
“How did Flori die?”/“She died in Missouri.”
A pun and riddle about two states (Florida and Missouri) is: Q: How did Flori die? (Florida)A: She died in Missouri. (misery) "How did Flori-die (Florida)? She died in Misery (Missouri)"…
“In Florida we salt margaritas, not sidewalks”
A margarita cocktail is often served in a glass with a salted rim. A cold climate area might use salt on sidewalks and roads to prevent icing. "We salt margaritas, not sidewalks" (or…
“Miami Beach is where neon goes to die” (Lenny Bruce)
"Miami Beach is where neon goes to die" is a popular quotation by comedian Lenny Bruce, first recorded in the Saturday Review of May 20, 1972. The slight problem is that Lenny Bruce died…
“Once you get Florida sand in your shoes, you never want to leave”
"Once you get Florida sand in your shoes, you never want to leave" (or "you will always return/come back") is a popular Florida saying that has spread to anyplace with sand. The…
“Remember that level of Super Mario 3, where the sun is trying to kill you? That’s Florida”
"Remember that level of Super Mario 3, where the sun is trying to kill you? That's Florida/Texas/today" is a hot weather saying that has been printed on many images. Super Mario…
“Run for the Orchids” (Florida Derby)
"Run for the Orchids" is the nickname of a horse race, much like the "Run for the Roses" (Kentucky Derby) and the "Run for the Carnations" (Belmont Stakes). The term…
“Scotland has Lochs, but Florida has Keys”
"Loch" (lock) and "key" is sometimes applied to geography. "Florida has keys, but no locks. Scotland has lochs, but no keys. Maybe we should put the two together?" was…