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November 25, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then the law only exists if you are poor”

"If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exists for the lower class" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The image is from the game Final Fantasy Tactics…

November 17, 2009
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the people lead, the leaders will follow”

Entry in progress -- B.P. Google News Archive13 April 1983, The Dispatch (Eatonville, WA), "Ohop stand supported by WPPSS exec.," pg. 1, col. 5:"If the people lead, the leaders will…

March 22, 2018
Work/Businesses

“If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal”

"If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. "If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but…

December 3, 2017
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?”

"If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?" is a joke on police Miranda warnings that has been printed on many images. The saying has been cited in…

December 4, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?”

"If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?" is a joke on police Miranda warnings that has been printed on many images. The saying has been cited in…

November 5, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the police were here to protect us, the entire government would be arrested”

"If police are really here to protect us, the entire government would be in prison" (or "If the police were here to protect us, the entire government would be arrested") is a…

June 18, 2018
Food/Drink

“If the recipe sucks, it doesn’t matter how good a cook you are”

"If the recipe sucks, it doesn't matter how good (of) a cook you are" is a saying that has been printed on many images. American author, entrepreneur and public speaker Tim Ferriss…

December 10, 2015
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the safety’s on, you’re good as gone”

The American adult animated sitcom South Park aired a program about guns on December 9, 2015, titled "PC Principal: Final Justice." Jim-Bob, a gun salesman, told customers in his gun…

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

“If the Second Amendment only applies to muskets, does the First only apply to printing presses?”

In discussing the Bill of Rights, some people say that the Second Amendment (right to bear arms) implied muskets, and not modern weapons. Gun advocates have countered this argument by discussing…

June 15, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the situation were truly hopeless, their propaganda would be truly unnecessary”

"Remember: if the situation were truly hopeless their propaganda wouldnt be necessary" was posted on Twitter by Rudolf Klein on July 22, 2020. "If the situation were truly hopeless,…

October 6, 2020
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“If the sweat ain’t flying, you ain’t trying”

Many people believe that if you work out, it should end with you dripping with sweat. "If you don't sweat....you ain't doin' it right" was posted on Twitter by Scott…

September 6, 2017
Work/Businesses

“If the term ‘military grade’ impresses you, you’ve probably never been in the military”

Some people believe that "military grade" means that a product is very good. If it's good enough for the military -- where life is at stake -- it must be a quality product. However,…

September 7, 2017
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the term ‘military grade’ impresses you, you’ve probably never been in the military”

Some people believe that "military grade" means that a product is very good. If it's good enough for the military -- where life is at stake -- it must be a quality product. However,…

January 8, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the tinfoil hat crowd secretly runs everything, would that make them the Aluminati?”

"Tin foil hat" (from aluminum foil) is used as a stereotype for something worn by a conspiracy theorist, and several jokes mention the "Aluminati" (aluminum + Illuminati).…

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

“If the troops defended freedom, they’d attack the government”

"If the troops defended freedom, they'd attack the government" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "If the troops defended freedom, they'd attack the…

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

“If the troops defended freedom, they’d fight back against the government”

"If the troops defended freedom, they'd attack the government" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "If the troops defended freedom, they'd attack the…

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

“If the truth makes you uncomfortable, don’t blame the truth. Blame the lie…”

"If the truth makes you uncomfortable, don’t blame the truth. Blame the lie that made you feel comfortable" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "If the truth makes…

July 25, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the truth offends you, it’s most likely because you are deceived”

"If the truth offends you, it's most likely because you are deceived" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "If the truth offends you, it's most likely…

July 25, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“If the truth offends you, it’s mostly likely that you are deceived”

"If the truth offends you, it's most likely because you are deceived" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "If the truth offends you, it's most likely…

October 18, 2015
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“If the waitress has dirty ankles, the chili will be good”

New York City-born college basketball coach and commentator Al McGuire (1928-2001) was known for his colorful language. He was quoted by Sports Illustrated in 1976: "If the waitress has dirty…

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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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