The Big Apple
About Archives Categories Index Search
About Archives Categories Index Search

May 20, 2023
Streets

“I ran into a lamppost yesterday. Luckily, I only sustained light injuries”

"I ran into a lamppost. But I only have light injuries" is a pun that was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on July 18, 2020. "I ran into a lamppost yesterday. Luckily, I only sustained…

September 6, 2025
StreetsTransportation

“I saw a sign on the road while driving today that said, ‘Survey Crew Ahead.’  I did. They looked okay”

The road sign "Survey Crew Ahead" confuses many people. A crew is surveying the road. "I saw a sign on the road while driving today that said, Survey crew ahead. I did. They looked…

March 31, 2019
Streets

“I saw a sign that said ‘Slow Deer Crossing.’ Why don’t the deer just run faster?”

A "SLOW -- Deer Crossing" sign shouldn't be read as "slow deer crossing," but there are jokes. A Nancy comic strip on May 3, 1967, showed a fast deer sprinting in front of…

May 28, 2016
Streets

“I saw a sign that said ‘Watch for children’” (joke)

A popular joke about a certain street sign is: "I saw a sign that said 'Watch for children' and I thought, 'That sounds like a fair trade.'" "'Watch for…

October 15, 2005
Streets

“I shop everywhere, but I buy on 14th Street”

"I shop everywhere, but I buy on 14th Street" is an old New York saying. There used to be many inexpensive stores on 14th Street (especially around Union Square), so New Yorkers could get…

September 25, 2025
StreetsTransportation

“I thought that I was a good person, but the way I react when people drive slowly in the left lane would suggest otherwise”

Many people get angry at slow drivers in the left (speed) lane. This was posted on X/Twitter by Abby Heugel on March 18, 2016: "I thought that I was a good person, but the way I react when…

November 19, 2017
Streets

“I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn’t park anywhere near the place”

"I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place" is a popular parking joke from American stand-up comedian Steven Wright. Wright said on his…

October 22, 2024
Pets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)Streets

“I was walking along the street the other day when I slipped in dog shit…” (joke)

A joke -- cited in pint since at least 1991 -- has a man walking on the sidewalk when he slips on dog shit. He gets up, and then another person slips on the same dog shit. "I just did…

July 6, 2018
Streets

“I’d rather let someone see me naked than parallel park”

Many people find that parallel parking is difficult. "I'd rather let someone see me naked than parallel park" is a saying that has been printed on an image. "I'd rather…

May 29, 2024
Streets

“I’m at the age that not finding parking for an event is enough to make me go home”

"I'm at the age that/where not finding parking for an event is enough to make me go home" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "I'm at the age where not…

May 24, 2024
Streets

“I’m at the age where not finding parking for an event is enough to make me go home”

"I'm at the age that/where not finding parking for an event is enough to make me go home" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "I'm at the age where not…

January 28, 2025
Streets

“I’ve been trying to leave Rome for weeks, but all their roads have this weird design flaw”

"All roads lead to Rome" is an idiom that means that all paths have the same goal. In some jokes, however, the phrase is taken literally. "I've been trying to leave Rome for…

September 9, 2022
Streets

“I’m at the age that not finding parking for an event is enough to make me go home”

"I’m at the age that not finding parking for an event is enough to make me go home" is a jocular saying that has been printed on several images. The saying was posted on Twitter by…

October 21, 2018
Streets

“I’m going through a lot right now. I can’t seem to find a parking spot”

To be "going through a lot" usually means that one has many troubles, but not always. "I’m going through a lot right now. I can't seem to find a parking spot" was posted…

July 18, 2022
Streets

“I’m going to need some privacy while I parallel park”

Many people find that parallel parking is difficult. "I hate when people are outside when I'm trying to parallel park. I need some privacy!" is a saying that has been printed on…

February 3, 2025
Buildings/Housing/ParksStreets

“I’m officially at the age where I get irritated when someone parks in front of my house”

Many people who live on a quiet residential street don't like it when someone parks in front of their house (and who isn't coming to their house). The homeowner regards the space as…

November 4, 2017
Streets

“If light travels faster than the speed of sound, how come a car behind me honks before the green?”

Some people seem to honk a car in front of them at a red light before the light turns green. "Brooklyn is the only city where sound travels faster than light.The fella behind me honks 9…

May 18, 2019
Streets

“If you can’t find it on Fifth Avenue, it probably isn’t worth finding”

Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is the home to many expensive shops. "If you can't find it on Fifth Avenue, it probably isn't worth finding" is a saying about the famous street. The…

July 24, 2017
Streets

“If you don’t like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk!”

"If you don't like the way I drive, get/stay off the sidewalk!" is a jocular driving saying that has been printed on many images. "My favorite New York bumper sticker: 'If…

August 12, 2020
Streets

“If you get lost in the woods, find a possum and follow it. You’ll be in the middle of the road”

Possums are often found dead in the middle of the road. A joke was posted on Facebook by Dean Young on January 26, 2020: "If you get lost in the woodsFind a possom, follow it.You will be in…

First
Previous
2 3 4 5 6
Next
Last

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.

Read more About the Website and Editor
About
Privacy Policy
RSS

© 2025 Barry Popik. All rights reserved.