“Sidewalks of New York (East Side, West Side)” (1894)
This 1894 song is one of New York's most popular. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/sidewalk.htm Lyrics: James W. Blake and Charles E. LawlorMusic: James W. Blake and Charles E. LawlorThe…
“Singing in the shower is fun and games until you get shampoo in your mouth. Then it’s soap opera”
"Singing in the shower is fun and games until you get shampoo in your mouth. Then it just becomes a soap opera" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "What's…
“Singing is like talking in cursive”
"Singing is like talking in cursive lol #WeirdThought" is a saying that was posted on Twitter on October 3, 2011. "Singing is like talking in cursive" was posted on Reddit --…
“Smooth jazz implies the existence of chunky jazz”
There is "smooth jazz," but no "chunky jazz." Jazz is not like smooth and chunky peanut butter, but there are jokes. "The last stuff of his I heard was almost like…
“Smooth jazz implies the existence of rough jazz”
There is "smooth jazz," but no "rough jazz." "Smooth jazz implies the existence of rough jazz" is a saying that has been printed on a popular image. Authorship of the…
“Some Great Sounds in the Big Apple” (Newport Jazz Festival, 1972)
In 1972, the Newport Jazz Festival moved from Newport, Rhode Island, to New York City. "Big Apple" had been a popular jazz nickname for New York City since the 1930s, when a "Big…
“Somebody just gave me a free air guitar—no strings attached”
A popular joke is someone giving away a free air guitar (an imaginary guitar) -- no strings attached! "For sale!!.. Air guitar.. sensible offers please, no strings attached!! ha ha" was…
“Someone stole some of my rap CDs. Oh well, no biggie”
"No biggie" means "no big deal." Brooklyn-born Christopher George Latore Wallace (1972-1997) -- known professionally as The Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or Biggie -- is,…
“Someone who makes you laugh is a comedian; someone who makes you think, then laugh is a humorist”
Entry in progress -- B.P. 30 September 1978, The Centre Daily Times (State College, PA), pg. 4, col. 2:Subtle DifferenceSomeone who makes you laugh is a comedian, George Burns said. Someone who…
“Son, you’re just not cut out to be a mime.”/“Is it something I said?”/“Yes.”
A mime joke is: FATHER: Son, you're just not cut out to be a mime.SON: Is it something I said?FATHER: Yes. The joke was posted on Twitter by Tommytoughstuff on September 27, 2014.…
“Song and dance” (slang, “false story”)
The slang term "song and dance" (meaning an elaborately contrived story, told to evade the truth) possibly originated from New York City. An 1897 story in Harper's Weekly on…
“Spanish Harlem” (1960)
"There is a rose in Spanish Harlem..." It's a dramatic, romantic song. "Spanish Harlem" (1960) is from the prolific songwriting team of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. Their…
“Stop making drama, you’re not Shakespeare”
"Stop making drama(s), you're not Shakespeare" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The term "emotional drama" is usually implied, but a drawing of…
“Stop making dramas, you’re not Shakespeare”
"Stop making drama(s), you're not Shakespeare" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The term "emotional drama" is usually implied, but a drawing of…
“Streets of New York (In Old New York)” (1906)
"The Streets of New York (In Old New York)" (1906) was a popular song in its day. It had long puzzled me. Women were called "peaches." The first line contains: "In old New…
“Subtitles are at the bottom of the screen. Domtitles are at the top of the screen”
Foreign movies often have subtitles. Some people believe there should be "domtitles," as in "sub/dom." "subtitles, eh, WHAT ABOUT DOMTITLES?????? check mate" was…
“Subtitles imply the existence of domtitles”
Foreign movies often have subtitles. Some people believe there should be "domtitles," as in "sub/dom." "subtitles, eh, WHAT ABOUT DOMTITLES?????? check mate" was…
“Successful pianists know the key to success”
People often seek the key (or keys) to success. "Successful pianists know the key to success" is a joke that was posted on the website Pun of the Day on August 10, 2017. Other sayings…
“Sundays were made for good coffee, good music, and being lazy with the people you love”
"Sundays were made for good coffee, good music, and being lazy with the people you love" is a Sunday saying that has been printed on many images "Sundays were made for good coffee,…
“Take a song to church” (music saying)
A musical artist can "take a song to church," meaning to give a performance like one in a church. Adding a gospel choir is one way to "take a song to church." A singer who belts…