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April 2, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Married men told their wives, ‘I’ll do that when I have the time’” (quarantine joke)

Married men put off things by telling their wives, "I'll do that when I have the time." The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic gave them that time. "My thoughts go out to all those…

June 19, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Mask it or casket” (face mask slogan)

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in some requirements to wear face masks. A mask slogan became popular, but it had been suggested earlier. "How about 'Mask it, or casket'?…

August 7, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Math trumps politics”

"Math (always) trumps politics" means that the fiscal realities of a budget always come first; a government can't do much of anything without money. The "math" involves how…

June 17, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Maybe if we email the Constitution to each other, the NSA would finally read it?”

"Maybe if we email the Constitution to each other, the NSA would finally read it?" (or "If I put the Constitution in my emails, would the government start reading it?") is a…

October 30, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Maybe if we’d made the ‘Most Wanted’ feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be wanted now”

New York City-born actor, songwriter and comedian Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) was a humanitarian who supported and helped name the charity The March of Dimes. He wrote about children in The Way I See…

May 22, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s quarantine”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in quarantines. Maybelline New York City, an American-based New York City multinational cosmetics company, had its advetising tagline, "(Maybe…

May 22, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Maybe she’s losing it. Maybe it’s quarantine”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in quarantines. Maybelline New York City, an American-based New York City multinational cosmetics company, had its advetising tagline, "(Maybe…

March 24, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Maybe they should call it the Squirrel Flu because everyone is nuts and hoarding everything”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic cause much panic. Brandy Freeman wrote on Facebook on March 13, 2020: "Maybe they should call it the Squirrel Flu. 'Cause everyone is NUTS &…

April 20, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWork/Businesses

“Me & my paycheck trying to figure out when the government worked half of my shift”

"Me & my paycheck trying to figure out when the government worked half of my shift" -- that is, the government took taxes from the paycheck -- is a saying that has been printed on…

April 20, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWork/Businesses

“Me and my paycheck trying to figure out when the government came and worked 1/4 of my shifts”

"Me & my paycheck trying to figure out when the government worked half of my shift" -- that is, the government took taxes from the paycheck -- is a saying that has been printed on…

September 11, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Me looking outside to see what chapter of Revelation we’re doing today”

The year 2020 was eventful, with the coronavirus outbreak, George Floyd protests, California wildfires and more. "Me looking outside to see what chapter of Revelation we're doing…

March 3, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Me: I’m impressed you got us court side seats. My lawyer: I hope they find you guilty”

Getting "court side seats" at a basketball court is usually very good. Getting "court side seats" at a court of law, at one's own trial, is not so good. This joke was…

March 15, 2025
Food/DrinkGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Me: staying sober is easy with the power of prayer! Priest giving me communion for the 37th time this morning…”

Entry in progress -- BP Wikipedia: Eucharist The Eucharist (/ˈjuːkərɪst/ YOO-kər-ist; from Koinē Greek: εὐχαριστία, romanized: evcharistía, lit. 'thanksgiving'), also…

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

“Mechanical Engineers build weapons; Civil Engineers build targets”

A popular engineering joke is: Q: What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers?A: Mechanical engineers build weapons; civil engineers build targets. The joke has been…

May 7, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Medical error is one of the leading causes of death. You better be doing your own research”

"In a world where medical error is one of the leading causes of death, you better be doing your own research" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "IN A WORLD WHERE…

May 25, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Memorial Day—honor their deaths by questioning anyone calling for more of them”

A popular Memorial Day saying was posted on Facebook by Mrs. Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian (and on Twitter by Mrs. Betty Bowers) on May 26, 2012: "Memorial Day -- honor their…

October 19, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Men of quality do not fear equality”

"Men/People of quality don't fear equality" is a saying that has been printed on many images. This message has been painted on signs at women's rights marches and LGBTQ pride…

October 19, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Men of quality don’t fear equality”

"Men/People of quality don't fear equality" is a saying that has been printed on many images. This message has been painted on signs at women's rights marches and LGBTQ pride…

December 2, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Mercury, closest planet to the sun, -173 degrees Celsius at night. First world problems”

The term "Third World" refers to the economy of countries and was coined in the 1950s. The term "First World" doesn't refer to the planet Mercury and the term "Third…

August 2, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Merry crisis and a happy new fear”

"Merry crisis and a happy new fear" -- a pun on "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" -- has been printed on many images. The saying is from graffiti that was painted on the…

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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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