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

January 21, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be for what is going to happen” (political rule)

"Be for what is going to happen" is a political rule of uncertain origin. The saying means that a politician should take the side of a cause that is ultimately going to win. "The old…

November 18, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be honest, you didn’t trust the science. You trusted the TV”

"Be honest, you didn't trust the science. You trusted the TV" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "Trust the science” became a popular saying during the…

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

“Be nice to America or we’ll bring democracy to your country”

"Be nice to America or we'll bring democracy to your country" is a popular bumper sticker saying. Dan R. Frazier of CarryABigSticker.com possibly coined the saying, which has been…

February 24, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be not afraid of any man, no matter what his size; when danger threatens, ... I will equalize”

This message is sometimes said to have been printed on a Colt revolver used in the old West: "Be not afraid of any man;No matter what his size;When danger threatens, call on me -- And I will…

December 10, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be on the side that is against pedophiles”

"BE ON THE SIDE THAT IS AGAINST PEDOPHILES" was posted on X/Twitter by AMERICAN BADASS on December 16, 2022, and again on X/Twitter on March 30, 2023. "Be on the side that is against…

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

“Be sure to bring up politics at Thanksgiving this year to save on Christmas gifts”

“Never talk about religion or politics” is a popular etiquette rule for family gatherings, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. A jocular saying printed on many images is to do the opposite of…

June 23, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm”

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm" is a quotation credited to Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) that has been printed on many images. Lincoln was helping Rebecca R.…

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

“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for”

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is usually credited to American vaudeville…

February 9, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be the peace you wish to see in the world”

"Be the peace you wish to see in the world" is a saying that has been printed on many images. Twitter Gael Chiarella Alba@YokibicsTodays Course: Be the peace you wish to see.1:18 AM ·…

November 8, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be the reason someone stops believing in government”

"Be the reason someone stops believing in the government" is an anti-government saying that was posted on Twitter by 𝗷𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮🗡on September 7, 2021. "Be the…

November 8, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be the reason someone stops believing in the government”

"Be the reason someone stops believing in the government" is an anti-government saying that was posted on Twitter by 𝗷𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮🗡on September 7, 2021. "Be the…

August 24, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be the reason why a politician has a mental breakdown in public restroom”

Many people do not like politicians. "Be the reason why a politician has a mental breakdown in public restroom" is a saying of unknown authorship. "Be the reason why politician has a…

October 15, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be the worst global citizen you can be”

Many people object to the term "global citizen." What does it mean? The term "global citizen" often means "global communism." "Be the Worst Global Citizen you can…

August 11, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be ungovernable” (political slogan)

"Become ungovernable" is an anti-government slogan that has been printed on many images. The terms "Become ungovernable" and "Be ungovernable" became popular in…

August 27, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Be wary of taking ‘health advice’ from people who believe the world is overpopulated…”

"Be wary of taking 'health advice' from people who believe the world is overpopulated... I shouldn't have to explain this one" was posted on Twitter by ZUBY: on April 15,…

August 11, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Become ungovernable” (political slogan)

"Become ungovernable" is an anti-government slogan that has been printed on many images. The terms "Become ungovernable" and "Be ungovernable" became popular in…

September 19, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Been there, bombed that” (been there, done that + bombed)

"Been there, done that" has been a popular phrase since the early 1980s. "Been there, bombed that" is a jocular twist on that phrase, popularized by the United States' wars…

March 25, 2024
Banking/Finance/InsuranceGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Before 1913 we got 100% of our paycheck”

"Before 1913 we got 100% of our paycheck" is a saying against the Federal Reserve Bank (founded in 1913). The Federal Reserve System has devalued the currency, and a dollar in 1913 was…

December 14, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement”

U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) addressed the annual Gridiron Club dinner (usually a humorous occasion) in Washington, DC, both in 1986 and in 1988, saying: "Before I refuse to take…

September 15, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Before serving your country, first learn who your government is serving”

"Before serving your country, first learn who your government is serving" is a saying that has been printed on many images. That is, the government might be serving corporate masters and…

First
Previous
19 20 21 22 23
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.