The Big Apple
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About Archives Categories Index Search

July 5, 2004
The Big Apple

“Why is New York City called the Big Apple?” (website introduction, Big Apple summary & over 500 articles)

Above, the header from the February 18, 1924 New York (NY) Morning Telegraph newspaper column of John J. Fitz Gerald. Click to see a portion of the column which includes his use of "Big…

January 19, 2026
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“Throw pillows? Surely all pillows can be thrown”

A "throw pillow" is a pillow used mostly just for decoration, added to a couch or a bed. They are not designed specifically to be thrown, but there are jokes. Many people do not like…

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

‘Merikkka (America + KKK)

"'Merikkka" or "'MeriKKKa" (America + Ku Klux Klan/KKK is simply a form of the popular 1970s' term "Amerikkka." "'Merikkka" has been…

September 23, 2021
Food/Drink

“...and then I was like, I’m just going to pour myself a bottle of wine and call it a day”

"I'm just going to pour myself a bottle of wine and call it a day" and "...and then I was like, I'm just going to pour myself a bottle of wine and call it a day" have…

September 23, 2017
Work/Businesses

“‘A fraction of the cost’ is misleading as hypothetically, something could be 3/2 of the cost”

Businesses sometimes say that a product is being sold at "a fraction of the cost." That usually means that the product is on sale, but what is the fraction? "'At a fraction of…

March 24, 2013
Education/Schools

“‘A’ students teach ‘B’ students to work for ‘C’ students”

A popular saying has it that "A" students become teachers and that "B" students work for "C" students. The saying appears to have been cited in print since at least…

August 2, 2010
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“‘Acceptable level of unemployment’ means the government economist has a job” (Nowlan’s Truism)

"An 'acceptable level of unemployment' means that the government economist to whom it is acceptable still has a job" was given as 'Nowlan's Truism" in 1978 and…

December 23, 2020
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“‘Accidentally’ buy the potato chips your spouse doesn’t like so you don’t have to share”

A jocular supermarket store sign has been printed on many images: "Store Tip!!!'Accidentally' buy the potato chips your spouse doesn't like so you don't have to…

January 23, 2024
Food/Drink

“‘Addict’ makes it sound so negative. Let’s just say I have a high coffee absorbency rate”

"I wouldn't say I'm a coffee addict. I prefer the term 'exceptionally caffeine absorbent'" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The saying (shown…

October 11, 2025
Work/Businesses

“‘AI is coming for your jobs.’ I’d like to see AI procrastinate all day before a 2pm meeting”

AI (artificial intelligence) can do many jobs, but it can't do everything a human can. A popular meme starts with "AI is coming for your jobs," and then describes some humorous thing…

October 10, 2025
Work/Businesses

“‘AI is coming for your jobs.’ I’d like to see AI take a 30 min poop right after clocking in”

AI (artificial intelligence) can do many jobs, but it can't do everything a human can. A popular meme starts with "AI is coming for your jobs," and then describes some humorous thing…

October 11, 2025
Work/Businesses

“‘AI is coming for your jobs.’ I’d like to see AI send 5 emails a day and check their fantasy football lineups on and off for 8 hours”

AI (artificial intelligence) can do many jobs, but it can't do everything a human can. A popular meme starts with "AI is coming for your jobs," and then describes some humorous thing…

October 11, 2025
Work/Businesses

“‘AI is coming for your jobs.’ I’d like to see AI show up drunk on Fridays and sexually harass my coworkers”

AI (artificial intelligence) can do many jobs, but it can't do everything a human can. A popular meme starts with "AI is coming for your jobs," and then describes some humorous thing…

October 10, 2025
Work/Businesses

“‘AI is coming for your jobs.’ I’d like to see AI steal catalytic converters”

AI (artificial intelligence) can do many jobs, but it can't do everything a human can. A popular meme starts with "AI is coming for your jobs," and then describes some humorous thing…

September 28, 2025
Food/DrinkWork/Businesses

“‘AI is going to replace you.’ I’d love to see AI drink 6 beers before 11 AM in Spain”

"'AI is going to replace you.' I'd love to see Al drink 6 beers before 11 AM in Spain" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. Drinking beers in the…

January 14, 2021
Food/Drink

“‘Alcohol may intensify the results of this medication.’ Is this a warning or a suggestion?”

"'Alcohol may intensify the results of this medication.' Is this a warning or a suggestion?" was posted on Twitter by 🎗 MOGGY 🎗 (and others) on November 20, 2016. The joke…

November 3, 2024
Time/WeatherWork/Businesses

“‘Are you okay?’ No bro it’s literally Monday every 5 minutes”

Many people hate Monday, the traditional start of the work week. "I don't really understand this year...🤷🏽‍♂️ Every five minutes it's Monday! 🥱😏😮‍💨"…

October 12, 2021
Work/Businesses

“‘Are your arms tired from holding five pieces of paper? You need a podium!’ (podium salesman)”

Several jokes state that a podium is a product that a salesman can stand behind. However, you stand on a podium, and you stand behind a lectern. "It must really suck to be a podium salesman.…

January 8, 2026
Time/Weather

“‘Be careful. That ice is slippery’—Everyone after you slip on ice”

People seem to warn about icy conditions after a person already slips. This joke was posted on X/Twitter by National Park Service on January 18, 2024: "'Be careful. That ice is…

June 24, 2017
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“‘Be strong,’ I whispered to my wifi signal”

"Be strong!" is something that might be said to a loved one, especially after a death in the family. "'Be strong,' I whispered to my wifi signal" is a jocular saying…

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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.

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