“You manage things; you lead people”
"You manage things; you lead people" has been credited to Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (1906-1992). In a 1982 navy magazine, she was quoted: "We manage things. We lead people."…
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Deja Brew (déjà vu + brew)
"Deja brew" (déjà vu + brew) is a pun that has applied to both beer and coffee. "Deja brew" was cited as a crossword clue in New York magazine in 1985. "Deja Brew - the…
“An army is like spaghetti—you can pull it, but not push it”
George S. Patton Jr. (1885-1945), a United States Army general who commanded the Seventh United States Army in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, believed in leading his…
“Cappuccino is the dessert form of coffee”
Many people order a cappuccino at the end of a meal. "I believe cappuccino is the dessert form of coffee" was cited in print in 1995. "Cappuccino is the dessert form of coffee"…
Febezzler (finance + embezzler); Febezzlement; Febezzle
The economist John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-2006) coined the word "bezzle" from "embezzle" in his book, The Great Crash, 1929 (1954). The "bezzle" was defined as…
“Damp hands make smooth balls” (food adage)
John Mitzewich ("Chef John") made the YouTube video How to Make Falafel - Crispy Fried Garbanzo Bean/Chickpea Fritter Recipe for "Food Wishes" on March 6, 2015. Chef John said:…
“Never trust weather forecasters or politicians”
“The old adage, 'Never believe weather forecasters or politicians'" was cited in a 2015 North Vancouver (British Columbia) newspaper, when a former CBC meteorologist decided to go…
“What did the acorn say when it grew up?” (math joke)
It's one of the oldest math jokes, told by teachers and students every year: Question: What did the acorn say when he grew up? Answer: Geometry (Gee, I'm a tree). The corny joke has been…
“When you open your heart to giving, angels fly to your door”
"When you open your heart to giving, angels fly to your door" is a quotation, usually unattributed, that is frequently used by many charity organizations. "He taught us that when you…
“You have three choices: Give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got”
"You have three choices: Give up, give in, or give it all you've got" has been printed on many posters. "You have 3 choices in anything, give in, give up or give it all you’ve…
“Grass grows by inches, but dies by feet” (groundskeeping adage)
"Grass grows by inches, but dies by feet" was coined by Ohio epigram writer Henry Archer Diehl, Jr. (1911-1994) and has been cited in print since at least 1947. Diehl, the principal of an…
“Plant pears for your heirs” (farming adage)
Pear trees had a reputation of taking about twenty years to bear fruit, but of lasting over a century. The proverb "plant pears for your heirs" has been cited in print since at least…
“Don’t mess with success”
"Don't mess with success" is another way of saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." "And I might say you don't mess with success" was cited in…
“Trail them, nail them and jail them” (“Surveil them, nail them and jail them”)
"Nail them and jail them" (or "nail 'em and jail 'em") is a policing method. Three terms are often used in the saying, such as "tail 'em, nail 'em and…
“Eleven o’clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America”
Brooklyn-born Helen Kenyon (1884-1978), former member of the Board of Home Missions of Congregational and Christian Churches, said in November 1952 that 11 o'clock on Sunday morning was the…
“They call it fishing, not catching”
Many people who go fishing do not catch fish; however, the sport of fishing can still be enjoyed. "Amos and Andy Taking Fishing, Not Catching, Trip" was a headline in a 1930 newspaper.…
“You can’t predict baseball” (baseball adage)
Baseball, as many have said, is an unpredictable game. "You can't predict what can happen in baseball" was cited in 1970. "Baseball is a game you can't predict" was…
“Fans don’t boo nobodies”
Oakland A's baseball player Reggie Jackson said in April 1974: "Now, when we go into a park on the road people start booing. You don't know how good that makes me feel. To me it…
“Old fishermen never die—they just smell that way”
"Old soldiers never die -- they just fade away” is an old saying that was popularized by General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) in his farewell address to Congress on April 19, 1951. Many…
“Our friendship is like a cup of tea…a special blend of you and me”
"Our friendship is like a cup of tea...a special blend of you and me" is a saying that has been printed on several posters. "Our friendship is like a cup of coffee...a special blend…