“It’s breakfast time somewhere”
"It's morning (i.e., breakfast time) somewhere" was popularized by a 2011 television commercial for Kellogg's Crunchy Nut cereal (usually eaten at breakfast). A woman longs to…
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“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success”
"Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect" is a popular teamwork saying of unknown authorship, cited in print since at least 1993. Other forms of the saying are…
Ecotard (ecology + retard)
Everyone supports the enviroment, although some critics have claimed that the "green" movement is too extreme. The derogatory nickname "ecotard" (ecology + retard) has been…
Security Theater
"Security theater" is a term that was first used in Bruce Schneier's book Beyond Fear (2003). Schneier wrote, "But some countermeasures provide the feeling of security instead…
“Whether you’re rich or poor, it’s nice to have money”
Entry in progress -- B.P. [This saying was discussed in February 2012 in WordOrigins.org.]
Deepcession (deep + depression + recession)
"Deepcession" (deep + depression + recession) is a term that has been cited in print since at least December 2007 and has been used infrequently since the 2008 recession. David Brauer of…
Trainmageddon or Trainageddon (train + Armageddon)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has many service changes from planned construction and maintenance work; "The Weekender" website lists the changes. The terms…
ZIRP4EVA (ZIRP + forever)
The term ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy) has been cited in print since at least 2000. but became popular during the financial crisis of 2008. Some financial observers during the crisis speculated…
“A man in debt is caught in a net”
Entry in progress -- B.P. The proverb is cometimes credited to John Ray's 17th century book of English proverbs, but it does not appear there. Google BooksThe Salt-Cellars: Being a collection…
“I owe, I owe, so off to work I go”
"I owe, I owe, so/it's off to work I go" is a popular saying on bumper stickers and other gift items. The saying is sung to the tune of "Heigh-Ho" (the Dwarfs'…
“Loans and debts make worries and frets”
Entry in progress -- B.P. The proverb is cometimes credited to John Ray's 17th century book of English proverbs, but it does not appear there. Google BooksThe Salt-Cellars:Being a collection…
Dorm District (Yorkville, Manhattan)
Yorkville (on the east side of Manhattan) has been called the "Dorm District" because of the many students who reside there. Yorkville's Wikipedia entry mentions that these students…
Fun City
New York's "Fun City" nickname was born in the first days of Mayor John Lindsay's administration in January 1966. There was a transit strike; after observing New York's…
Christians In Action (Central Intelligence Agency or CIA nickname)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the successor to World War II's Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The CIA nickname of "Christians In Action" was probably coined or at…
Big Blue Apple (Big Blue + Big Apple)
"Big Blue Apple" (Big Blue + Big Apple) is what New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called New York City in February 2012, during the celebration for the Super Bowl-winning New York…
Full Blown 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 unflattering FBI nickname of "Full Blown Idiots" has been…
“She was only a moonshiner’s daughter, but he loved her still”
"She was only a moonshiner's daughter, but he loved her still" is an old pun on the word "still" (that can also mean "distillery"). "She may be only a…
“A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat”
"A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat" is a joke that has appeared on many Internet lists since 2000. The joke centers on "hard to beat" eggs meaning also…
“In a democracy, your vote counts; in feudalism, your count votes”
"In a democracy, it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your count that votes" (or, "In a democracy, your vote counts; in feudalism, your count votes") has…
“A lot of money is tainted—‘taint yours and ‘taint mine”
"A lot of money is tainted -- 'taint yours and 'taint mine" is an old joke on the word "taint" (meaning "a trace of a bad or undesirable quality") and the…