“Can’t rub two nickels together” (poor)
A person who "can't rub two pennies/nickels/dimes/quarters/dollars together" is a person who doesn't have much money. "Not in a position to rub two pennies together"…
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“East end of a horse going west” (a horse’s ass)
"East end of a horse going west" (a horse's ass) is on many Internet lists of Southern expressions. "East end of a horse going westward" has been cited in print since at…
“Raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock”
"Raining like a (tall) cow pissing on a flat rock" is a popular expression in Texas and other southern states. The expression is similar to "raining cats and dogs," meaning a…
Citiot (city + idiot)
A "citiot" (city + idiot) is someone from the city (most commonly New York City) who spends time in the country or in a summer residence. The term "citiot" is very popular in…
“Working with academics is like herding cats” (education adage)
"Working with academics is like herding cats" is a T-shirt slogan that is popular in the education field, although "herding cats" has a longer history. According to the 2003…
Texas Fifth (half-gallon of liquor)
A "fifth" is a 750 ml bottle of liquor; a "Texas fifth" is a half-gallon or 1.75 liter bottle. The term "Texas fifth" (based on the principle that…
“Stop repeat offenders—don’t re-elect them”
"Stop repeat offenders -- don't re-elect them” is a saying that has been printed on gift items such as bumper stickers and T-shirts since at least 1998. The authorship of the saying is…
“Sure you can trust the government—just ask an Indian”
"Sure you can trust the government -- just ask an Indian" is a saying that has been printed on gift items such as bumper stickers and T-shirts since at least 1998. The authorship of the…
Secret Circus (Secret Service nickname)
The United States Secret Service has a U.S. Treasury function and is also responsible for protecting national leaders and their families. In April 2012, in advance of President Obama's…
Silent Service (United States Postal Inspection Service or USPIS nickname)
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) remains little-known, even though it claims an origin back to 1772 and colonial Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin. The USPIS investigates all…
“No Irish need apply”
"No Irish need apply" (NINA) was sometimes added to the job descriptions of the 19th century. The job was usually for a woman to help with housework, but Irish women did, in fact, take…
Trainwreck (Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or TNRCC nickname)
The Texas Air Control Board (1965-1993) and the Texas Water Commission (1985-1993) were consolidated in 1993 to form the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). "TNRCC"…
“I’ve been thrown out of better places than this!”
"I've been thrown out of better places/joints/bars/restaurants/hotels than this!" is a humorous saying by someone getting removed from a location. Ferenc Molnár's popular…
“Heads in beds” (hospitality saying)
"Heads in beds" is hospitality industry lingo meaning occupied hotel and motel rooms. Tourist boards representing a city's hospitality industry try to attract visitors to the city…
New York Times-Democrat (New York Times nickname)
The New York (NY) Times is a daily newspaper that has been published in New York City since 1851. Although the newspaper's motto is "All the news that's fit to print,"…
Charm Offensive
The political term "charm offensive" probably borrows from the earlier political term "peace offensive," meaning an active movement (or "offensive") aimed at achieving…
Uncle Scam (Uncle Sam + scam)
"Uncle Scam" (Uncle Sam + scam) is an Uncle Sam nickname used by people who believe that the federal government is deceitful. Although the name "Uncle Sam" dates to 1812, the…
“Punch above one’s weight” (boxing metaphor)
In boxing, there are weight classes so that boxers never "punch above their weight." In a street fight, however, a little man must "punch above his weight" to defeat a bigger…
“Finger-lickin’ good”
"Finger-lickin' good" is the popular slogan of KFC restaurants (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken). "Finger licking" food is so good that one would rather lick…
“The camera doesn’t lie” (“The camera never lies”)
'The camera doesn't lie" (or "the camera never lies") means that photographic evidence shows what something actually looks like. The old saying has been used since the…