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

“Obedience is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right”

"Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told. Obedience/Religion is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right" is a saying that has been printed on many…

May 15, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Obedience is not patriotism”

"Obedience is not patriotism" stencil; the saying has been printed on T-shirts and bumper stickers. "Blind obedience isn’t patriotism" was cited in print in January 2002,…

July 1, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Obedience is what gives tyrants their power”

"Obedience is what gives tyrants their power. READ IT AGAIN" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "OBEDIENCE IS WHAT GIVES TYRANTS THEIR POWER. READ IT AGAIN"…

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

“Obey gravity. It’s the law”

"Obey gravity. It's the law" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The law of gravity is a natural law and wasn't passed by any legislature. "Everyone…

October 15, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Of course all scientists agree, when you censor the ones who don’t”

"Of course all scientists agree, when you censor the ones who don't" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "Of Course all scientists agree when you censor the…

June 17, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Off the reservation”

"Off the reservation" means, in political terms, a party member who does not adhere to party principles (the "reservation"). The term "off the reservation" has been in…

August 2, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Often in error, but never in doubt” (“Often wrong, but never in doubt”)

Politicians don't like to admit when they're wrong. "Often in error, but never in doubt" (or "Often wrong, but never in doubt") is a saying that's been used by…

October 11, 2026
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Oh nothing, just wondering how the govt. acquired the earth and why do we have to pay them to live on it”

"Oh nothing, just wondering how the govt. acquired the earth and why do we have to pay them to live on it" (also "How did the government acquire the earth and why do we have to pay…

June 4, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Oh, you got a sticker for voting? A banana gets a sticker for being a banana”

"Oh, you got a sticker for voting? (That's cool.) A banana gets a sticker for being a banana" (also "You got a sticker for voting? Bananas get a sticker for being bananas"…

June 4, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Oh, you got a sticker for voting? That’s cool. A banana gets a sticker for being a banana”

"Oh, you got a sticker for voting? (That's cool.) A banana gets a sticker for being a banana" (also "You got a sticker for voting? Bananas get a sticker for being bananas"…

February 1, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Oh, you’re an anarchist? Then solve every single problem in the world right now”

Many people do not understand anarchy. They often ask anarchists silly questions. "Oh, you're an anarchist? Then solve every single problem in the world right now. Oh, you can't?…

January 28, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Old lawyers never die—they just lose their appeal”

"Old soldiers never die -- they just fade away” is an old saying that was popularized by General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) in his farewell address to Congress on April 19, 1951. Many…

June 14, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Old men living in a swamp dispensing executive orders is no basis for a system of government”

"Old men living in a swamp dispensing executive orders is no basis for a system of government" was posted on X/Twitter by Casey Mattox on September 9, 2021, and this received over 2,600…

February 24, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Old slaves were in chains. New slaves are in denial”

"Old slaves were in chains. New slaves are in denial" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Old slaves were in chains, new slaves are in denial" was posted on…

January 5, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Omicron must come from the Omicrônne region of France, otherwise it’s just sparkling covid”

"Champagne" is sometimes used as a generic term for sparkling wine, but legally, it must come from the Champagne wine region of France. The joke meme was used during the COVID-19…

May 22, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“On March 14, 1883 Karl Marx made his most important contribution to mankind… He died”

"On March 14, 1883 Karl Marx made his most important contribution to mankind... He died" is a jocular saying that has been printed on several images. "On March 14, 1883 Karl Marx…

June 10, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“On the fence”

Entry in progress -- B.P. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionaryon the fence: in a position of neutrality or indecision The Free DictionaryIdiom: on the fence Informal Undecided as to which of two sides…

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

“On the first day of Covid my true love coughed on me”

The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in song parodies of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", such as “The 12 Days of Corona.” "...my true love coughed on me..." was…

April 1, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Once a Marine, always a Marine”

The United States Marine Corps was founded in 1775. Once someone has earned the title "Marine" that person is a Marine for life: there are (1) active duty Marines, (2) retired Marines,…

October 21, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Once is happenstance; twice is coincidence; the third time it’s enemy action”

Ian Fleming's James Bond novel, Goldfinger (1959), contains a line that has been used in government, business, science and other fields: Goldfinger said,"'Mr Bond, they have a saying…

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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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