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March 11, 2019
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Making partner is like a pie-eating contest where the prize is more pie”

It's an old joke in the legal profession that making partner is like a pie-eating contest where the prize is more pie. That is, you work insanely hard with many billable hours -- and your…

April 29, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Male libertarians when they find out they have a prostate” (joke)

"Prostate" (a body part) should not be confused with "pro state," but there are jokes. "Libertarians when they discover they have a body part called the…

May 11, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Man charged with stealing hay denied bale”

"Bail" shouldn't be confused with "bale," but there are jokes. "I got arrested yesterday for stealing hay from a farmer. I’ve been refused bale" was posted on…

April 5, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Man does not live by words alone—despite sometimes eating them”

Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) gave a speech in Denver on September 5, 1952. Stevenson was known for his wit, although he would lose the 1952 presidential election to Dwight Eisenhower. He said:…

January 27, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Man matures when he stops believing that politics solves his problems”

"Man matures when he stops believing that politics solves his problems" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is from Colombian philosopher Nicolás Gómez Dávila…

January 17, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Mandate freedom”

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic sometimes resulted in vaccine mandates. "Mandate freedom" was one response. "MANDATE freedom, individual responsibility, Individual survival"…

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

“Marijuana is legal. Haircuts are not. It took fifty years, but the hippies have finally won”

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic resulted in some businesses being declared essential, and others as non-essential (and illegal). "From Facebook: Marijuana is now legal, but not haircuts.…

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

“Marine: My job is to protect your ass, not kiss it”

"Police: My job is to protect your ass, not kiss it" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Saw a shirt yesterday that said: 'Police Officer: My job is to protect…

December 5, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?”

"Marriage is a great/wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?" is a classic joke about marriage. "Marriage is a great institution; but who wants to live in an…

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…

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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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