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October 7, 2020
Work/Businesses

“A positive attitude is contagious, but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier”

"A positive attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. "A healthy attitude is…

October 13, 2016
Work/Businesses

“A principle isn’t a principle until it costs you money”

William "Bill" Bernbach (1911-1982), one of the founders of the advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), created many legendary ad campaigns. However, after the U.S. Surgeon General…

March 19, 2016
Work/Businesses

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best”

"A problem is a chance for you to do your best" is a saying that has been credited (since at least 1984) to American composer and bandleader Duke Ellington (1899-1974). The attribution…

October 1, 2017
Work/Businesses

“A problem with drinking with people from work is they’re the ones I bitch about when I’m drunk”

"The problem with drinking with people from work is they’re the ones I bitch about when I’m drunk" is a one-line saying that has been printed on several images. The saying was posted…

January 9, 2020
Work/Businesses

“A real friend never gets in your way—unless you happen to be on the way down”

"A real friend never gets in your way -- unless you happen to be on the way down" (or "A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down") is a friendship…

November 30, 2019
Work/Businesses

“A scared nickel never made a dime” (business adage)

"Scared money never wins" is an old gambling adage. "A scared nickel never made a dime" is a business adage. If someone is unwilling to risk a little, then one won't win a…

December 1, 2012
Work/Businesses

“A shady business never yields a sunny life”

"A shady business never yields a sunny life" was printed in Forbes Epigrams: 1000 Thoughts on Life and Business (1922) by B. C. Forbes, the founder of Forbes magazine. It became one of…

January 12, 2019
Work/Businesses

“A sign for a strip club during the day: ‘Sorry, we’re clothed’”

"Sorry, we're clothed" -- a pun on the popular "Sorry, we're closed" sign -- has been printed on many images. "On the door of a Los Angeles strip joint, after a…

November 13, 2015
Work/Businesses

“A signature reveals a man’s character—and sometimes even his name”

"A signature always reveals a man's character — and sometimes even his name" is a jocular line that has been credited to humorist and author Evan Esar (1899-1995), who included it…

May 8, 2020
Work/Businesses

“A small meteorite is reportedly headed for Legoland. The damage is expected to be 50 square blocks”

"A meteorite is reportedly headed for Legoland. The devastation is expected to span a million square blocks" is a joke that was posted on Twitter by Jonnie W. on February 17, 2013. Legos…

October 15, 2014
Work/Businesses

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight”

Smiles -- such as "service with a smile" -- can be an important part of business etiquette. "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight" is saying that was popularized in…

April 24, 2025
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWork/Businesses

“A socialist is someone who wants everything you have other than your job”

"A socialist is someone who wants everything you have, except your job" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Definition of a Socialist: Someone who wants everything you…

October 19, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /HealthWork/Businesses

“A socialist is someone who wants everything you have, except your job”

"A socialist is someone who wants everything you have, except your job" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "Definition of a Socialist: Someone who wants everything you…

March 28, 2019
Work/Businesses

“A spill, a slip, a hospital trip” (safety slogan)

"A spill, a slip, a hospital trip" is a safety slogan that has been printed on many images. "A Spill, A Slip, A Hospital Trip" has been cited in print since at least 2007, when…

June 9, 2015
Work/Businesses

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him”

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him" is a popular saying of uncertain authorship. "The Successful Man Can Lay a Firm…

April 21, 2013
Work/Businesses

“A theory should not attempt to explain all the facts, because some of the facts are wrong”

"A theory should not attempt to explain all the facts, because some of the facts are wrong" has been credited to molecular biologist Francis Crick, but there's no evidence that he…

January 21, 2025
Sports/GamesWork/Businesses

“A trampoline was selling at half price the other day. I jumped on the offer”

To "jump" at an offer is to accept it quickly, before it expires or is taken by someone else. No actually jumping is usually involved, but there are jokes. "A trampoline was selling…

May 10, 2019
Work/Businesses

“A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success”

"A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success" is a friendship saying that has been printed on many images. "A true friend is one who willingly…

January 9, 2020
Work/Businesses

“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down”

"A real friend never gets in your way -- unless you happen to be on the way down" (or "A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down") is a friendship…

April 1, 2019
Work/Businesses

“A true friend sees the pain in your eyes, even when you have a big smile on your face”

"A true friend sees the pain in your eyes, even when you have a big smile on your face" or "A real/true friend is someone who sees the pain in your eyes, while everyone else believes…

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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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