“Don’t pay any attention to the critics—don’t even ignore them”
American film producer Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) was known for his humorous misstatements or malapropisms that became known as "Goldwynisms." One famous "Goldwynism" was when…
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“Critics are the stupid who discuss the wise”
Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) wrote in the essay "What Is Art?" (1897; English translation 1898): "A friend of mine, speaking of the relation of critics to artists, half…
“Asking a writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp post how it feels about dogs”
"Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp post how it feels about dogs" was said by playwright Christopher Hampton (born in 1946) in the Sunday Times…
“Old accountants never die—they just lose their balance”
"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…
“An accountant is a man hired to explain that you didn’t make the money you did”
"An accountant is a man hired to explain that you didn't make the money you did" is a jocular definition of an accountant. "Accountant: A man hired to explain that you…
“Ability is what will get you to the top if the boss has no daughter”
"Ability is what will get you to the top if the boss has no daughter" is an old saying about business that is of unknown authorship. "Ambition — What will get you to the top if the…
“A gentleman is a man who can play the saxophone but doesn’t”
"A gentleman is a man who can play the saxophone/bagpipes/accordion but doesn't" is an old joke of unknown authorship. a gentleman is a man who can play a cornet but won't"…
“Critics are like eunuchs in a harem”
Irish poet and playwright Brendan Behan (1923-1964) is often credited for saying, "Critics are like eunuchs in a harem: they know how it's done, they've seen it done every day, but…
Alphabet Network (ABC nickname)
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) began in 1943 and is headquartered on Manhattan’s Upper West Side (near Lincoln Center). ABC is often called the "alphabet network" because its…
Almost Broadcasting Company (ABC nickname)
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) began in 1943 and is headquartered on Manhattan’s Upper West Side (near Lincoln Center). The network's news division was so bad in the 1960s (trailing…
“A voice for print”
To say that someone has "a voice for print" is to say that the voice is so bad that it shouldn't be on radio or television. "A voice for print" has been cited in print…
“When presidents can’t run for re-election, they run for the Nobel Peace Prize”
A president of the United States can serve only two four-year terms (according to the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution). During a president's second term, the office holder…
“Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind”
According to the Harbaugh family, father Jack Harbaugh was an assistant football coach at the University of Iowa in 1972 when he told his sons Jim (born in 1963) and John (born in 1962) this…
“What difference does it make?”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was questioned by Congress on January 13, 2013 about the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi. She was asked by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)…
“If money is the root of all evil, why do churches beg for it?”
"If money is the root of all evil, why do churches beg for it?" is a popular bumper sticker saying. "For the love of money is the root of all evil" is from the New Testament (1…
“I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me to do”
"I do whatever my rice crispies/krispies tell me to" is a popular bumper sticker saying. Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal says "snap, crackle, pop" when milk is added…
“Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”
"Don't do the crime if you can't do the time" is a rhyming criminal justice expression. ""Don't commit the crime if you can't do the time" was called an…
Fucking Bunch of Idiots (Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI nickname)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was founded in 1908 and conducts federal criminal and intelligence investigations. The FBI nickname of "Fucking Bunch of Idiots" has been cited…
“Brooklyn Zoo” (1995)
"Brooklyn Zoo" is a single from the album Return to the 36 Chambers (1995) by hip-hop artist Ol' Dirty Bastard (1968-2004) -- the Brooklyn-born Russell Tyrone Jones. There is a…
“Take half as many clothes and twice as much money” (travel axiom)
"Take half as many clothes and twice as much money as you think you'll need for any vacation" is an established travel axiom. The saying probably originated in Reader's Digest…