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June 5, 2013
Food/Drink

“‘I’ before ‘E,’ except in Budweiser”

"I before E except after C" is an old spelling rule, but there are many exceptions. Budweiser is one of the highest selling beers in the United States. The beer joke "I before E…

March 7, 2017
Neighborhoods

“‘I’ before ‘E,’ except when you run a feisty heist on your weird beige overweight foreign neighbor”

"I" before"E" is an English spelling rule, with many exceptions -- such as "neighbor" and "neighborhood." "'I'before 'E,' except…

June 1, 2015
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“‘I’ is the only difference between fit and fat”

"'I' is the only difference between fit and fat" (or "'I' is the only difference between fat and fit") is a motivational saying that has been printed on…

March 7, 2019
Food/Drink

“‘I’ll have a hot dog,’ Tom said frankly”

A "Tom Swifty" (or "Tom Swiftie") is a quoted sentence with a related pun in the attribution. "'I had a hot dog for lunch,' Tom said frankly" was printed in…

October 3, 2020
Transportation

“‘I’m just gonna get gas in the morning” is one of the worst decisions you can make as an adult”

Many people drive home from work and are tired, and they tell themselves that they will get gas in the morning. However, in the morning they have to wake up early, there is traffic, the gas station…

December 13, 2022
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“‘I’m leaving Twitter’ is the new ‘I’m moving to Canada’”

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, many liberals stated that they would move to Canada is Donald Trump (a Republican) were to be elected president. he was elected, but not many of these…

June 9, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“‘I’m offended’ is the debate equivalent of flipping over the board game when you start losing”

"'I'm offended' is the debate equivalent of flipping over the board game when you start losing" is a saying that has been printed on several images. That is, "I'm…

July 6, 2020
Food/Drink

“‘Iced coffee’ sounds cool but ‘cold coffee’ sounds gross”

Entry in progress -- B.P. Twittervince@v_c_17How come we like iced coffee but dislike cold coffee?12:37 PM · May 19, 2020·Twitter for Android Reddit -- ShowerthoughtsPosted by u/IlConteiacula…

March 17, 2026
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“‘Irish Flooring’ by Lynn O’Leum” (jocular book title)

"Linoleum" (a floor covering) is not the name of a person, but "Lynn O. Leum" was printed in the Muskegon (MI) Chronicle on March 8, 1916, and "East Lynne-o-leum" was…

February 23, 2021
Food/Drink

“‘Is Pepsi OK?’—World’s worst drug dealer”

Many diners ask for "coke" when they want a soda. If the establishment has Pepsi cola instead of Coca-Cola, a server usually asks, "Is Pepsi okay (as a substitute drink)?" Pepsi…

August 31, 2025
Work/Businesses

“‘Is there anything else I can assist you with today?’ No just that one thing you couldn’t assist me with thanks”

Telephone operators often try to appear helpful after being unhelpful. This was posted on X/Twitter by Jason Mustian on November 9, 2023: "'Is there anything else I can assist you with…

April 19, 2024
Time/WeatherWork/Businesses

“‘It’s been a long week,’ I say in the middle of the day on Tuesday”

"'It's been a long week.' -- Me, in the middle of Tuesday" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The work week is usually Monday through Friday.…

April 23, 2024
Time/WeatherWork/Businesses

“‘It’s been a long week.’—Me, in the middle of Tuesday”

"'It's been a long week.' -- Me, in the middle of Tuesday" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The work week is usually Monday through Friday.…

June 2, 2021
Time/Weather

“‘It’s June already?!’ said Tom, dismayed”

The word "dismay" has nothing to do with the month of May, but there are jokes. "Good morning, everyone. It's June 1. We are disMAYed" was posted on Twitter by El Gecko on…

April 14, 2024
Time/WeatherWork/Businesses

“‘It’s just been a rough week.’—Me, in the middle of Tuesday”

"'It's been a long week.' -- Me, in the middle of Tuesday" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The work week is usually Monday through Friday.…

December 20, 2020
Food/Drink

“‘Lasagna’ is French for ‘the sagna’”

"Lasagne" (singular "lasagna") is an Italian word and not French, but some people think it means "la sagne/sagna," or "the sagne/sagna." "Is Lasagna…

December 20, 2020
Food/Drink

“‘Lasagne’ is French for ‘the sagne’”

"Lasagne" (singular "lasagna") is an Italian word and not French, but some people think it means "la sagne/sagna," or "the sagne/sagna." "Is Lasagna…

September 7, 2012
Food/Drink

“‘Latte’ is French for ‘you paid too much for that coffee’”

"Latte' is French/Italian/Latin for 'you paid too much for that/your coffee'" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and…

June 12, 2020
Education/Schools

“‘Lazy’ is such an ugly word. I prefer the term ‘selective participation’”

"'Lazy' is such an ugly word. I prefer the term 'selective participation'" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Lazy is such an ugly word. I prefer…

April 21, 2016
Food/Drink

“‘Let’s eat, grandma’ or ‘let’s eat grandma’—punctuation saves lives!”

"'Let's eat, grandma' or 'let's eat grandma' -- punctuation saves lives!" (or "commas save lives") has been printed on many images.…

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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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