Circus Peanuts (candy)
The circus has long been known for providing hungry patrons with pink lemonade and peanuts for sale. "Circus peanuts" became a popular name, just like "ballpark hot dogs." The…
Search
Searched for . Search results: 41178
Long Depression (1873-1879)
The economic period starting with the Panic of 1873 -- between October 1873 and March 1879 -- has been called the "Long Depression." The term :long depression" was used as early as…
“Lean to the green”
"Lean to the green" is advice sometimes given to politicians, meaning that a politician should tend to take the side of where the money (green dollars) is coming from. The "lean to…
Environmental Persecution Agency (Environmental Protection Agency or EPA nickname)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed in 1970 to protect human health and the environment. Some critics have claimed that the EPA regulates too little during Republican…
Pyramid Scheme
A "financial pyramid" is one where there are many people/investors at the bottom of the pyramid, but few at the top. A "pyramid scheme" pays off the oldest investors by getting…
Ponzi Scheme
A "Ponzi scheme" is the method developed by Charles Ponzi (1882-1949), using international reply coupons for postage stamps, to allegedly make money for investors. Ponzi's method was…
“It’s so hot, the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs” (Texas heat joke)
It's often joked that it's so hot in Texas, "the hens/chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs." TheTexas version of the joke dates to at least 1953. The "laying hard-boiled…
“A tie game is like kissing your sister”
"Like kissing your sister" means something that is perfunctory, without much pleasure. The saying "like kissing your sister" has been cited in print since at least 1892. Since…
Crunkcake (crunk/drunk + cupcake)
A "crunkcake" (crunk/drunk + cupcake) is an alcoholic cupcake. "Crunkcake" has been cited in print since at least September 2008, but received popularity when Sabath and Faith…
Worst Boston (First Boston nickname)
First Boston was a New York City-based investment bank, founded in 1932. First Boston was acquired by Credit Suisse in 1990; First Boston was called "CS First Boston" from 1993 until…
Moron Stanley (Morgan Stanley nickname)
The financial firm of Morgan Stanley was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in New York City. The Morgan Stanley nickname of "Moron Stanley" has been cited in print since at least 1992.…
Cuptail (cupcake + cocktail)
A "cuptail" (cupcake + cocktail) is an alcoholic cupcake. Some variations include a Margarita cuptail, a Mojito cuptail and a Kalhua-infused chocolate cuptail. The term…
Head-and-Shoulders Pattern
A "head and shoulder" chart pattern looks like a shoulder, then rising to form a head, and then another shoulder; there is also an "inverted head and shoulders" pattern. The…
“Don’t just do something, stand there”
"Don't stand there -- do something!" has been cited in print since at least 1904. In the Disney film Alice in Wonderland (1951), the White Rabbit said, "Don't just do…
Two-Napkin, Three-Napkin, Four-Napkin or Five-Napkin Burger
A one napkin/two napkin/three napkin/four napkin/five napkin burger is a hamburger so loaded with natural juices that it requires several napkins to eat it. "Two-napkin hamburger" has…
Pink Ribbon Bagel
The "Pink Ribbon Bagel" is a trademarked product of the Panera Bread franchise, with a trademark date of September 2001. Panera Bread states that the bagel (in the shape of a ribbon) is…
People’s Microphone or People’s Mic/Mike (using voices for amplified sound)
The September 2011 "Occupy Wall Street" protests didn't have a permit to have amplified sound (such as a bullhorn). Instead, a speaker would speak a few words and the crowd would act…
FinMin (finance minister or finance ministry)
"FinMin" or "finmin" is a popular news headline abbreviation for "finance minister" or "finance ministry." The term "FinMin" has been cited in…
Venture Capital (Venture Capitalist; Venture Capitalism)
"Venture capital" is risk capital -- money invested in startup companies with high growth potential. The term "venture capital" was used by at least 1935 and was popularized in…
Wedgie (sandwich)
"Wedgies" are a creation of Fox Pizza Den, a franchise based in Murraysville, PA. "Wedgie" is cited in print since at least 1983; Fox's Pizza Den describes it as "a…