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November 12, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid”

U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) said in a speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the Mayflower Hotel in Washington (DC) on March 20, 1981: "But from…

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

“Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it seeks to silence good”

"Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good" is a saying that has been printed on many images. That is, evil first wants acceptance (tolerance) and then…

February 28, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good”

"Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good" is a saying that has been printed on many images. That is, evil first wants acceptance (tolerance) and then…

December 30, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Ew, 2020”

"Ew, 2020" has been printed on many images. The year 2020 was difficult for many people, primarily because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. "Ew, David" is a catchphrase…

September 9, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Ex-presidents are like Chinese vases—beautiful, valuable, and near-useless”

An antique Chinese vase is delicate and valuable, but it's too expensive to put flowers in it. Former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos said in 2007 that "ex-presidents are like antique…

June 3, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthRestaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“Excuse me, officer, I have diplomatic immunity.*Shows International House of Pancakes loyalty card*”

The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) doesn't give anyone diplomatic immunity, but there are jokes. "The best thing about working at the International House of Pancakes? Diplomatic…

July 11, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Execute justice, not people”

"Execute justice, not people" is a popular slogan used by people who are against the death penalty. The slogan is often printed on a sign for a protest made at a courthouse or a prison.…

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

“Explain it to me like I wear a mask alone in my car”

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in many people wearing facemasks, especially indoors. Some people even wore a facemask while driving alone in their car. To other people, this was a…

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

“Explain this to me like I wear a mask alone in my car”

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in many people wearing facemasks, especially indoors. Some people even wore a facemask while driving alone in their car. To other people, this was a…

December 10, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“F@ck the s@ck” (FTS)

"The suck" is a popular Marine Corps term from the 1990s to describe military life. The term "embrace the suck" became popular in 2003, during the Iraq War. "Fuck the…

December 22, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable”

"Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable" has frequently been credited to the writer Mark Twain (1835-1910), but there is no evidence that the line was said during his…

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

“Fascism is capitalism in decay”

"Fascism is capitalism in decay" is a quotation that is usually credited to Russian politician Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924), but there's no evidence that he ever said it.…

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

“Fascism is capitalism plus murder”

Upton Sinclair (1878-1968), formerly a socialist, unsuccessfully ran for governor of California as a Democrat in 1934 under the End Poverty In California (EPIC) platform. Sinclair said that he…

February 28, 2025
Food/DrinkGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“FDA approved does NOT mean scientifically proven. It means business deal made”

"FDA approved does NOT mean scientifically proven. It means business deal made" (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Marcos Colome on September 6, 2021, and this received over…

January 22, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Fear is the currency of control”

"Fear is the currency of control" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was popularized during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in March 2020, where it referred…

November 5, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Feels like the whole country is on Maury waiting to find out who’s the father”

The 2020 U.S. presidential election -- held during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic -- had early voting and mail-in ballots, and final results were delayed by days. Maury is a syndicated…

February 20, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“FEMA is the new F-word”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepares for and responds to disasters within the United States. FEMA's response -- or lack off response -- to several disasters has led to much…

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

“Few die and none resign”

"Few die and none resign' (or "few die, none resign") has been said of public officeholders who live long and well on the government payroll. President Thomas Jefferson…

August 14, 2019
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Few of us ever test our powers of deduction, except when filling out an income tax form”

“Few of us ever test our powers of deduction, except when filling out an income tax form” is a popular tax saying that has been printed on many images. The quotation was included in the book…

March 5, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Few skills are so well rewarded as the ability to convince parasites that they are victims”

"Few skills are so well rewarded as the ability to convince parasites that they are victims" and "There is no talent so ardently supported, nor generously rewarded, as the ability to…

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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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