“If you’re not catching flak, you’re not over the target”
"Flak" (anti-aircraft fire) became a widely used term during World War II. "If you're not catching flak, you're not over the target" (or "If you're catching…
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“Don’t let your mouth write checks your body can’t cash”
"Don't let your mouth write a check (or "checks") your body (or "ass") can't cash" has been used in black English since at least the 1960s. Comedian Flip…
“The governor proposes and the legislature disposes”
"Man proposes, (but) God disposes" is an old proverb, indicating that God is the final arbiter of proposals. "The governor proposes and the legislature disposes" is a state…
“Never trust a skinny chef”
"Never trust a skinny chef" (or "Never trust a skinny cook") is a saying that has been printed on many images. The implication is that a skinny chef doesn't eat much of his…
“The people get the government they deserve”
Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) wrote in 1811: "Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle merite." ("Every nation has the government it deserves.") De Maistre was credited with…
“Communism is the opiate of the intellectuals”
Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote in 1843: "It (religion -- ed.) is the opium of the people." The quotation is often given as: "Religion is the opium/opiate of the masses/people."…
“Unsustainable is the new normal” (“Fiscal crisis is the new normal”)
The United States entered a fiscal crisis in 2007-2008, with both the federal government and most states deeply in debt. In January 2010, Stephen Goldsmith, a professor at the John F. Kennedy…
“Tomorrow Happens Here” (SXSW slogan)
"Tomorrow Happens Here" has been the non-trademarked slogan of Austin's SXSW (South by Southwest) festival since 2009. SXSW contains a music festival, a film festival and interactive…
“Goodnight, Austin, Texas, wherever you are”
“Goodnight, Austin, Texas, wherever you are" is a line credited to musician Frank Zappa (1940-1993), during an Austin concert at the Armadillo World Headquarters on May 20-21, 1975. The line…
“Free Crabs Tomorrow” (Joe’s Crab Shack)
"Free Crabs Tomorrow" has been a slogan of Joe's Crab Shack (a Texas-based chain restaurant) since 1991. No free crabs have been served because "tomorrow" never comes.…
“If something cannot go on forever, it will stop” (Stein’s Law)
Economist Herbert Stein (1916-1999) wrote in 1986: "But if it can't go on forever it will stop. And if we never do anything that we can't go on doing forever we will never do very…
“In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current”
The Youth's Companion (a popular American children's magazine) published this anonymous line in 1891: "Either as wife, sister, husband or brother, if you would have a happy family…
Robin Hood Plan (property tax)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Robin Hood planThe Robin Hood plan was a media nickname given to legislation enacted by the U.S. state of Texas in 1993 to provide court-mandated equitable…
“Heads, I win; Tails, the government will bail me out”
When flipping a coin to decide an outcome, it's usually "Heads, I win; tails, I lose" or "Heads, I win; tails, you win." The dishonest saying is: "Heads, I win; tails,…
Progressive
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Progressive Party (United States)The name Progressive has been assigned to a collection of parties in the United States over the past century or so. Several…
Lobbyist (Lobbying)
A "lobbyist" is one who engages in "lobbying" -- trying to influence public officials (such as members of a legislature) to support the lobbyist's position on legislation.…
“The two enemies of the people are criminals and government…”
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) did write, in the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, the following: "...in questions of power then, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down…
Selectarian
Entry in progress -- B.P. The Vegetarian Athlete Types of VegetariansPersonally, I'm not so fond of all the "labels," since we all draw our own arbitrary lines which may or may not…
“When the race gets tough, step on the gas”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksTom Masson's Annual By Thomas Lansing MassonGarden City, NY: Doubleday, Page & Company1924Pg. 71:If you see you can't dodge trouble, step on the…
Populist (Populism)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: PopulistPopulist may refer to: . A supporter of Populism, a political philosophy urging social and political system change that favours "the people"…