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February 27, 2024
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When the state calls you a taxpayer, it’s equivalent to a rapist calling his victim his girlfriend”

"'When the state calls you a taxpayer, it's equivalent to a rapist calling his victim his girlfriend.' Javier Milei" was posted on X/Twitter by Being Libertarian on…

June 23, 2022
Transportation

“When the store name and the price of gas collide” ($7.11 gas at 7-Eleven store)

7-Eleven retail convenience stores were named after the hours 7 a.m. (opening) and 11 p,m, (closing), although many stores are now open all 24 hours a day. An interesting occurrence is when it…

March 29, 2013
Education/Schools

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" is often said to be a Buddhist proverb, but there's no evidence to support this. "For when the disciple is ready the Master…

August 9, 2012
Food/Drink

“When the tide goes out, the table is set” (seafood harvesting adage)

"When the tide goes/is out, the table is set" is a seafood harvesting adage popular in the Pacific northwest. Razor clams, clams, oysters, mussels, crabs, seaweed, limpets and other sea…

December 16, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When the truth comes out, don’t ask me how I knew. Ask yourself why you didn’t”

"When the truth comes out, don't ask me how I knew. Ask yourself why you didn't" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying implies that who some people call…

November 13, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When the truth comes out, you can’t unvax your children”

"When the truth comes out, you can't unvax your children/kids" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying implies that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines are…

November 13, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When the truth comes out, you can’t unvax your kids”

"When the truth comes out, you can't unvax your children/kids" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying implies that the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines are…

December 13, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When the water reaches the upper decks, follow the rats”

Claude A. Swanson (1862-1939), Virginia's U.S. Senator from 1910-1933, had a rule for new Congressmen that was published in Current Opinion in 1923: "When the water rises to the second…

January 9, 2026
Time/Weather

“When the weather gets warmer I will become unstoppable. As long as it doesn’t get too warm, then I will be stoppable”

People often feel that the cold winter is holding them back (from things such as walking outside), but a hot summer can also hold them back. "When the weather gets warmer I will become…

December 8, 2018
Time/Weather

“When the weatherman broke both arms and legs, he called about his four casts”

"Forecasts" sounds like "four casts." A weather pun was printed in the Daily Mail (London, UK) on September 14, 1999: "Two weathermen each broke an arm and a leg in an…

July 9, 2015
Transportation

“When the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the airplane, the airplane will fly”

Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksPrinciples of Technical WritingBy Robert HaysReading, MA: Addison-Wesley1965Pg. 2:Employees joked that "When the weight of the paperwork equals the weight…

October 11, 2025
Education/SchoolsMedia/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“When the whole room is silent in the middle of the exam and Siri says ‘these are some results I found on Google’”

Electronic devices with access to the internet are usually banned in examination rooms. Getting caught cheating on an exam is not merely embarrassing, but could result in failing the course.…

December 11, 2019
Food/Drink

“When the whole world has gone vegan, no one will expect the Spinach Inquisition!”

"Spanish Inquisition" sounds a bit like "spinach inquisition," and there are jokes. "Nobody expects the Spinach Inquisition" is a pun on the famous "Nobody…

October 31, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When the wolf stares you down, will you be the lamb that cowers in fear…”

"When the wolf stares you down, will you be the lamb that cowers in fear or will you be the sheepdog who stares back and takes action?" is a political saying that has been printed on an…

June 30, 2018
Work/Businesses

“When there is a hill to climb, don’t think that waiting will make it smaller”

Entry in progress -- B.P."When there is a hill to climb, don’t think that waiting will make it smaller" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. HuffPostTHE BLOG…

August 20, 2016
Work/Businesses

“When there’s a big solar energy spill, it’s just called ‘a nice day’”

"When there's a big solar energy spill, it's just called 'a nice day'" is a jocular pro-solar energy line that has been printed on many images. "Hey #tcot…

March 21, 2023
Sports/Games

“When there’s no baseball, I stare out the window and wait for spring”

Entry in progress -- BP Wikipedia: Rogers HornsbyRogers Hornsby Sr. (April 27, 1896 – January 5, 1963), nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who…

November 28, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When they call roll in the Senate, senators don’t know whether to answer present or not guilty”

"When they call the roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer 'present' or 'not guilty'" is a saying usually credited to Theodore Roosevelt…

May 12, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When they come for your guns, give ‘em the ammo first”

"If/When they come for the/your guns, give ‘em the/your bullets first" (there are many slight variations) is a pro-gun saying that has been printed on many images. "When they come…

May 12, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“When they come for your guns, give them your bullets first”

"If/When they come for the/your guns, give ‘em the/your bullets first" (there are many slight variations) is a pro-gun saying that has been printed on many images. "When they come…

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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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