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About Archives Categories Index Search

November 2, 2010
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“George Washington slept here”

Historic American inns often make the overused claim: "George Washington slept here." George Washington fought in New York City and was inaugurated president in New York City (briefly the…

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

“German by blood. American by birth. Patriot by choice”

"American by birth. Patriot by choice" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "American by birth, patriot by choice!" was printed in the Albany (OR) Democrat-Herald…

July 22, 2020
Food/Drink

“German food puns have always been very spätzle to me”

"Spätzle" (a type of pasta made with fresh eggs) can sound like "special." "Chefs are Spaetzle. But Bakers do it Batter" was posted on Twitter by Matthew M on…

September 29, 2011
Food/Drink

“Get ‘em while they’re hot”

"Get 'em while they're hot!" is the cry of someone selling hot food, such as hot dogs or hot peanuts or hot popcorn. The cry "Get 'em while they're hot!" has…

June 18, 2009
Transportation

“Get a $100 lock and a $50 bike” (bicycle adage)

Bicycles frequently get stolen in New York City. In a New York (NY) Times "Spokes" blog column on June 9, 2009, Sean Patrick Farrell wrote that it's "an old saying in New York…

July 12, 2025
Pets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“Get a dog to provide unconditional love, but also have a cat to remind you that you don’t deserve it. It’s all about balance”

Should one get a dog or a cat -- or both? This was posted on Facebook by Ricky Pope on June 28, 2025: "Get a dog to provide unconditional love but also have a cat to remind you that you…

August 13, 2015
Work/Businesses

“Get a foot in the door” (get an opening to an opportunity)

The expression "get a foot in the door" comes from the days of door-to-door salesmen around 1900. A salesman would stick his foot in the door so that the door coudn't be closed, thus…

March 9, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Get a room!” (excessive public affection or praise)

A person might make a display of excessive public affection for another, causing others to remark, "Get a room!" (That is, go to a motel room and show your affection for one another…

July 22, 2017
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Get at least eight hours of beauty sleep. Nine, if you’re ugly”

American actress Betty White had a long television career when she appeared, at age 89, on the Late Show with David Letterman on June 13, 2011, to offer her "Top 10" tips for living a…

March 10, 2022
The Big Apple1960s: Fun City

“Get back to the big apple” (Ebony magazine, 1968)

Ebony magazine was founded in 1945 to serve the African-American community. This quotation from a Vietnam War article was printed in August 1968: "Here a lanky, Brooklyn draftee stated:…

December 9, 2011
Work/Businesses

“Get big, get niche or get out” (business adage)

"Get big, get niche or get out" is a popular saying in the information technology (IT) industry, particularly in the UK. The saying means that a business can survive by "getting…

April 22, 2016
Food/Drink

“Get crackin’” or “Get cracking” (removing shells from eggs, nuts)

"Get cracking" (or "get crackin'") means to get started (or "get to work"). The "cracking" probably comes from the crack of the whip, as applied to…

June 7, 2012
Exercise/Running/Health Clubs

“Get fit to play sports — don’t play sports to get fit”

"Get fit to play sports -- don't play sports to get fit" (or "Get in shape to play sports -- don't play sports to get in shape") is a frequently cited sports and…

July 27, 2020
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble”

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: John Lewis (civil rights leader) John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American politician and civil-rights leader who served in the…

July 30, 2009
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“Get It First, But First Get It Right” (International News Service)

"Get It First, But First Get It Right" was the slogan of the International New Service (INS), founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909. The slogan is cited in print…

April 16, 2012
Food/Drink

“Get me a crocodile sandwich, and make it snappy” (joke)

"Get me a crocodile/alligator sandwich, and make it snappy" is a popular one-line joke with a pun on the word "snappy" (quick). "A crocodile sandwich, and make it…

July 20, 2012
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores

“Get me a table near a waiter” (restaurant joke)

The comedian Henny Youngman (1906-1998) was a longtime member of New York Friars Club. When he walked in to the eating area, he'd always use his familiar line: "Get me a table near a…

June 21, 2018
Food/Drink

“Get me an alligator sandwich, and make it snappy”

"Get me a crocodile/alligator sandwich, and make it snappy" is a popular one-line joke with a pun on the word "snappy" (quick). "A crocodile sandwich, and make it…

December 30, 2013
Radio/Television

“Get off my phone!” (radio talk show saying)

"Get off my phone!" was the catchphrase of conservative talk radio host Bob Grant (1929-2013). If Grant didn't like a caller, Grant would shout, "Get off my phone, you…

October 14, 2019
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

“Get off the cross, we need the wood”

"Get off the cross, we need the wood" is a reference to Jesus and Christianity. The saying means that someone is not Jesus and is not here to be a savior, so that person should stop…

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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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