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January 3, 2016
Transportation

“If you look like your passport photo, you need the trip”

"Passport pictures are notoriously unpleasant and unflattering," the New York (NY) Times published in September 1930. A popular line appeared in an Associated Press story in June 1954:…

April 3, 2023
Transportation

“If you rarely drive on snow, just pretend you’re taking your grandma to church…”

Southerners don't like to drive in the snow. A tip was posted on Twitter by Chad Sullivan on January 15, 2018, and this was later posted on the 6 a.m. newscast weather report of WBTV, the CBS…

September 5, 2025
StreetsTransportation

“If you see a road sign that says ‘Survey Crew Ahead’ they actually are not looking for your opinions. I know that now”

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…

September 5, 2025
StreetsTransportation

“If you see a road sign that says ‘Survey Crew Ahead’ they are not actually interested in your opinion. I know that now”

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…

September 6, 2025
StreetsTransportation

“If you see a road sign that says ‘Survey Crew Ahead’, they do not want you to stop and answer questions. I know that now”

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…

October 21, 2004
Transportation

“If you see something, say something” (safety slogan)

"If you see something, say something" was the Metropolitan Transit Authority's 2003 response to terrorism. The trademarked slogan (used on buses and trains) was created by Allen Kay,…

September 12, 2018
Transportation

“If you want the traffic light to turn green, look for something in your glovebox”

Waiting at a red light can seemingly take a long time. However, if someone wants to do a small task at the red light (such as sipping a drink), the traffic light seems to turn green right away.…

August 20, 2016
Transportation

“If you’re going to ride my ass, at least pull my hair” (bumper sticker)

"If you're going to ride my ass, at least pull my hair and make me scream!" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many bumper stickers. The bumper sticker saying was cited on…

April 18, 2024
Transportation

“If you’re gonna hit my car, make sure you kill me” (bumper sticker)

"If you're gonna hit my car, make sure you kill me" is a bumper sticker saying that has been printed on many images. Reddit -- Funny Albuyeh -- February 22, 2024 A bumper sticker has…

June 12, 2024
Food/DrinkRestaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food StoresTransportation

“If you’re not meant to drink and drive, then why do you need a driver’s license to buy alcohol?”

Entry in progress -- BP “I mostly use my driver’s license to buy stuff that impairs my ability to drive” is a related saying. X/Twitter 🇺🇸Jeff Markise🇺🇸 @MarkiseJeff If you…

December 28, 2018
Transportation

“If you’ve never missed a plane, you’ve spent too much time in airports”

"If you've never missed a plane, you've spent too much time in airports" is a saying that means one shouldn't be too careful to avoid all misfortune at all costs; some risk…

March 20, 2024
Transportation

“If you’re on a Boeing flight, it’s not cringe anymore to clap when the plane lands”

Many people clap when their plane lands and it's the end of a safe flight. Experienced travelers often cringe at the clapping. However, in 2023 and 2024, Boeing had several highly publicized…

October 23, 2017
Transportation

“If your boat turns upside down, you can wear it on your head. It’s capsized”

A riddle was posted on Twitter on January 15, 2013: Q: When can you wear a boat on your head? A: When it's capsized. "Did you know that you can fit any boat on your head like a hat, if…

May 1, 2024
Transportation

“If your electric car runs out of power on the interstate, do you walk to a charging station to get a bucket of electricity?”

"If your electric car runs out of power on the interstate, do you walk to a charging station to get a bucket of electricity?" is a question that has been printed on many images. The joke…

December 9, 2024
Transportation

“If your kids want to learn to drive, don’t stand in their way”

"Don't stand in their way" usually means don't oppose, but a joke takes this literally. "Our friend, E. J. Canada, over in Luther, says that if your wife wants to learn to…

February 17, 2018
Transportation

“If your wife wants to learn to drive, don’t stand in her way”

"If your wife want to learn to drive, don't stand in her way" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many images. "Warning: If your wife wants to learn to drive,…

December 9, 2024
Transportation

“If your wife wants to learn to drive, don’t stand in her way”

"Don't stand in their way" usually means don't oppose, but a joke takes this literally. "Our friend, E. J. Canada, over in Luther, says that if your wife wants to learn to…

February 26, 2020
Transportation

“Imagine an atheist stuck at a green light behind a car with a ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ sticker”

"Honk if you love Jesus" is a popular bumper sticker that has been cited in print since at least 1971. A question was posted on the newsgroup alt.religion.christian-teen on March 28,…

September 26, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthTransportation

“In case of Rapture, can I have your car?” (bumper sticker)

"Come the Rapture, can I have your car?" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "IN CASE OF RAPTURE, CAN I HAVE YOUR CAR?" was posted on the newsgroup…

August 4, 2017
Transportation

“In life, you are either a passenger or a pilot. It’s your choice”

"In life, you are either a passenger of a pilot. It's your choice" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was posted on Twitter on February 20,…

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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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