Beauty Contest (non-binding primary)
A political contest that has no binding vote and is mostly for show -- such as a straw poll -- is called a "beauty contest." The most attractive candidate wins, but it's all for…
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“Do history exams get harder every year?”
"Do history exams get harder every year?" is a jocular one-liner. After each year, there is more history to learn! "I feel sorry for each new generation of students,since history…
Michigan: Michigander (nickname)
"Michigander" is one of several names -- such as "Michiganian" -- for a resident of Michigan. The name is a jocular combination of "Michigan" and "gander,"…
Colorado: Rover (nickname)
A resident of Colorado has been called a "Rover" since at least 1864, when this was included in a list of state nicknames. Gold was discovered at Pike's Peak in 1858, and an 1887…
Connecticut: Land of Steady Habits (nickname)
Connecticut is known as the "Land of Steady Habits." "They have steady habits" was cited in a 1794 Connecticut newspaper and "the steady habits of Connecticut" was…
“I come from a long line of conga dancers”
A dancer doing some genealogy might pun: "I come from a long line of conga dancers." The joke was cited on Sickipedia in 2010 and was first cited on Twitter on March 28, 2010. Wikipedia:…
“Are birth control pills tax-deductible?”/“Only if they don’t work.”
What's tax deductible? There's an old joke: Q: Are birth control pills tax-deductible?A: Only if they don't work. In 1967, a newspaper article said that birth control pills are tax…
“Any salad can be a Caesar salad if you stab it enough”
"Any salad can be a Caesar salad if you stab it enough" is a jocular line that has been printed on ecards. The line was cited on tumblr on November 11, 2013, and on Twitter on December…
Nevada: Sage Hen (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)sage cock n.1840 A. Wislizenus Ausflug nach Felsen-Gebirgen 1839 ix. 49 Sage cock, cock of the plains.sage hen n. = sage cock n.1843 J. Williams…
Virginia: Beadle (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksU. S. An Index to the United States of AmericaCompiled by Malcolm TownsendBoston, MA: D. Lothrop Company1890Pg. 81:NICKNAMES APPLIED TO THE PEOPLE OF THE…
West Virginia: Switzerland of America (nickname)
Many areas with mountains in the United States have been dubbed a "Switzerland of America." "The Green mountains of Vermont, the Switzerland of America" was cited in 1835. New…
Rhode Island: Little Rhody (nickname)
Rhode Island is the smallest state (in physical area) in the United States. The nickname "Little Rhody" (also ""Little Rhodie," "L'il Rhody" and "Little…
Kentucky: Red Horse (nickname)
A person from Kentucky was called a "Red Horse" in the 19th century. The red-tail sucker, a fish that was also called "red horse," was common in the Ohio River. "The…
Arkansas: Toothpick or Toothpicker (nickname)
An "Arkansas toothpick" is a jocular name for a dagger-like blade, similar to a Bowie knife. It was famous for ending fights, not picking teeth. "Arkansas tooth pick" was cited…
Louisiana: Pelican (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)The Brown Pelican and Louisiana HistoryThe brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) has a storied…
Maryland: Clam Thumper or Craw Thumper (nickname)
A person from Maryland was called a "Clam Thumper" or a "Craw Thumper in the 1800s. "Craw-thumper" was old slang for a Roman Catholic, and while this also applies to many…
Delaware: Muskrat (nickname)
A person from Delaware was called a "Muskrat" in the 19th century, from the abundance of the animal in the state. "Delaware, Muskrats" was cited in an 1845 list of national…
Clubstaurant (club + restaurant)
A "clubstaurant" (club + restaurant) is part nightclub, part restaurant. An entertainment is provided along with the meal. The word "clubstaurant" appeared in the book…
Vermont: Green Mountain State (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Green MountainsThe Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range runs primarily south to north and extends approximately 250…
Alabama: Lizard (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksApril 1845, Cincinnati Miscellany (Cincinnati, OH), pg. 240, col. 1:Alabama, Lizards. Chronicling America23 August 1845, Ripley (MS) Advertiser, pg. 1, cols.…