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

January 16, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Have you ever noticed how many towns are named after their water towers?”

"Have you ever noticed how many towns are named after their water towers?" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "How come so many small towns are named after…

July 14, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthPets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Have you ever wondered how just one little dog controls so many sheep? Fear”

"Have you ever wondered how just one little dog controls so many sheep? FEAR" (or "Ever wonder how one little dog controls so many larger and stronger sheep? FEAR") is a saying…

August 6, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Have you heard about the new Canadian strain of Covid-19? Most people infected are eh symptomatic”

The >2019–20 coronavirus pandemic popularized he word "asymptomatic." A joke was that Canadians were "eh-symptomatic." "Stay away from us Canadians, we're all Eh…

June 13, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Have you heard the joke about getting rid of COVID? It’s a riot!”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in March and April 2020 was followed by the George Floyd protests in late May 2020. "Have you heard the joke about getting rid of COVID?? It's a…

November 7, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Have you or a loved one been called a conspiracy theorist? You may be entitled to an apology”

"Have you been called conspiracy theorist in 2020? You may be entitled to an apology" and "Have you or a loved one been called a conspiracy theorist? You may be entitled to an…

October 24, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Have you stopped beating your wife?” (loaded question)

"Have you stopped beating your wife?" is the classic loaded question that cannot be answered "yes" or "no." It assumes -- perhaps incorrectly -- that the person asked…

November 9, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Having a big nose is no excuse for not wearing a mask. I still wear underwear”

The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in many requirements to wear face masks. Some people objected to wearing masks. "His pic said ' mandatory masks. Having a big nose…

April 29, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Having a favorite politician is like a slave having a favorite master”

"Having a favorite politician is like a slave having a favorite master" was posted on Twitter by Imagine trusting Politicians and Celebrities on February 25, 2021. "Having a favorite…

April 26, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He can run, but he can’t hide” (“You can run, but you can’t hide”)

"He can run, but he can't hide" is a famous statement of boxing champion Joe Louis (1913-1981). Louis had won a tough 13-round fight by knockout against Billy Conn (1917-1993) in…

August 26, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He could rescue a child from drowning and you’d accuse him of starving the sharks” (meme)

“If I (a politician) could walk on water, you’d (the press would) say that I can’t swim” is an old saying. "He (a politician) could rescue a child from drowning and you'd (the…

July 18, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He gave a fireside chat and the fire went out” (joke)

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt held radio "fireside chats" to communicate with American citizens. In September 1975, Washington Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (1912-1983)…

September 1, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) supposedly said of a political rival: "He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." The remark was supposedly made about either…

December 12, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He is a man of his most recent word”

Conservative columnist William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925-2008) said in August 1965 about President Lyndon B. Johnson: "He is a man of his most recent word." A "man of his word" is…

October 4, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch”

"He may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch" is what a political constituency (such as a political party or a cultural group) says of its own tarnished politician. This…

June 4, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWork/Businesses

“He who follows the herd only sees assholes”

"He who follows the herd only sees assholes" (or "Those who follow the herd only see asses") is a saying that has been printed on many images. “If you’re not the lead dog,…

July 9, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He who frames the issue wins the debate”

"He who defines/frames the issue/argument/question/debate wins the argument/debate" means that the side that strikes first and defines the issue usually wins. The other side is left to…

September 10, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He who is without ovaries shall not make laws for those who do.  Fallopians 5:12”

"He who is without ovaries shall not make laws for those who do. Fallopians 5:12" is a women's rights saying (in mock biblical verse) that has been printed on many images. The saying…

February 15, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He who saves a nation violates no law”

"He who saves his Country does not violate any Law" was posted on X/Twitter by U.S. President Donald J. Trump on February 15, 2025. "Who saves his country violates no law. --…

February 15, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law”

"He who saves his Country does not violate any Law" was posted on X/Twitter by U.S. President Donald J. Trump on February 15, 2025. "Who saves his country violates no law. --…

September 26, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“He’s a master debater” (joke on “masturbator”)

"Master debater" is often said with a wink, clearly hinting at the word "masturbator." It's not known exactly when the double entendre began. The Los Angeles (CA) Times…

First
Previous
55 56 57 58 59
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.