“Don’t quit your day job” (show business adage)
"Don't quit your day job" (or "Don't give up your day job" or "Keep your day job") is advice to an actor/artist/model/musician/writer who probably won't…
“Don’t Rain On My Parade” (1964, 1968)
The song "Don't Rain On My Parade" was in the Broadway musical (1964) and movie (1968) Funny Girl, about the New York performer Fanny Brice. Funny Girl had music by Jule Styne and…
“Don’t reach for the stars. They are extremely hot and will incinerate you”
People in the performing arts are often told to reach for the stars. The expression "reach for the stars" does not, of course, mean reaching for actual stars. "Don't reach for…
“Downtown Train” (1985)
"Downtrown Train" became a big hit for Rod Stewart in 1990, and the song has been recorded by others. It was written and first recorded by Thomas Alan (Tom) Waits for his album Rain Dogs…
“Drama—what literature does at night”
American drama critic George Jean Nathan (1882-1958) wrote in Testament of a Critic (1931): "Drama. -- What literature does at night." This short definition of drama has been frequently…
“Drama is life with the dull parts cut out of it”
"Drama is life with the dull parts cut out of it" means that drama reflects life, but it's time-compressed with only the interesting parts left in. For example, a biographical film…
“Dying is easy; comedy is hard” (theatre adage)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Edmund KeanEdmund Kean (17 March 1789 – 15 May 1833) was an English actor, regarded in his time as the greatest ever.(...)He died at Richmond, Surrey where he…
“East Side Story” into “West Side Story” (1957)
West Side Story (1957) was originally East Side Story. The story of the Broadway musical and film West Side Story is detailed on the official website (see below). There is no grand song that says…
“Egyptians claimed to have invented the guitar, but they were such lyres”
Who invented the guitar? A pun was popularized in 2017: "Egyptians claimed to have invented the guitar, but they were such lyres (liars)." Deaf Forever Forum"Egyptians claimed to…
“Elephants Got Big Dirty Feet” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Elephants Got Big Dirty Feet" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy Deserve…
“Elvis’ Guitar Broke Down Friday” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Elvis' Guitar Broke Down Friday" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy…
“Empty Garbage Before Dad Flips” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Empty Garbage Before Dad Flips" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy…
“Enough about me. What do YOU think about me?” (actor joke)
An old joke is told about a self-absorbed actor who then says, "But enough enough about me. Let's talk about you. What do you think about me?" The joke was cited in Punch magazine in…
“Ev’ry Street’s a Boulevard in Old New York” (1953)
"Ev'ry Street's a Boulevard in Old New York" appeared in the musical Hazel Flagg (1953) and the movie Living It Up (1954). The music is by Jule Styne and the lyrics are by Bob…
“Every day and twice on Sunday” (“Six times a week and twice on Sunday”)
"Every day and twice on Sunday(s)" is a saying that has been used in several ways. The first citations involve Christian prayer. "Preaching once every Day (twice on Sundays)"…
“Every Girl Bakes Delicious Fudge” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Every Girl Bakes Delicious Fudge" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy…
“Every Good Boy Deserve Favor/Favour” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Every Good Boy Deserves Favor/Favour" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy…
“Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Fudge was popularized by Vassar College in 1893 and quickly became a favorite food among boys and girls. "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the…
“Every Good Boy Does Fine” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Every Good Boy Does Fine" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy Deserve…
“Every Good Burger Deserves Fries” (EGBDF music mnemonic)
Entry in progress -- B.P."Every Good Burger Deserves Fries" is a mnemonic for E-G-B-D-F, the notes on the lines of the treble clef. Other EGBDF mnemonics include "Every Good Boy…