Conscience of the Congress (Congressional Black Caucus moniker)
The Congressional Black Caucus (founded in 1971, replacing 1969's "Democratic Select Committee") represents the black members of the United States Congress. The moniker…
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“Disasters don’t discriminate”
Joe Albaugh, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from February 2001 until March 2003, said this in December 2002: "Disasters don't discriminate, and neither should…
“Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups”
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" has been often credited to "unknown" or to comedian George Carlin (1937-2008), but the saying was used before…
Perrymander or Perrymandering (Governor Rick Perry + gerrymander/gerrymandering)
The term "gerrymander" or "gerrymandering" (after Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry and the salamander) means to reshape the electoral district lines in such a way that it…
Jewyorican or Juyorican (Jew + Nuyorican)
A "Jewyorican" or "Juyorican" (Jew + Nuyorican) is a New Yorker whose heritage is part Jewish and part Puerto Rican. The term "Jewyorican" has been popularized by…
Fix Everything My Ass (Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA nickname)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began in 1979 for the purpose of responding to disasters. FEMA has had many critics, especially for its response to 2005's Hurricane Katrina.…
“Bet that it would never rain again” (Texas weather joke)
A joke from the drought of the 1950s (cited in print since at least 1953 in Reader's Digest) has it that a man bet his neighbors that it would never rain again. After a few years, he was paid…
Cowboy Way (cowboy tradition; Dallas Cowboys tradition)
The"cowboy way" means the "cowboy's way of life." Cowboys led cattle drives in the 19th century, but the term "cowboy way" has been popular since the 1970s. The…
“It’s so dry, the birds are building their nests out of barbed wire” (Texas heat joke)
"It's so dry, the birds are building their nests out of barbed wire" has made Texas joke lists since at least the early 1990s. There is some truth behind the joke. During the 1930s…
“It’s so dry, the catfish are carrying canteens” (Texas heat joke)
"It's so dry, the catfish are carrying canteens" is a version of a very old joke. In 1902, it was said that Southern California was so dry the coyotes were carrying canteens to cross…
“You can pretend to care, but you can’t pretend to be there”
"A body can pretend to care, but they can't pretend to be there" is advice from the book Don't Squat With Yer Spurs On!: A Cowboy's Guide to Life (1992) by Texas Bix…
“Those who can’t teach, teach gym”
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) wrote in his play Man and Superman (1903): "He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches." The saying is often given as, "Those who can, do, those who…
PolitiFarce (PolitiFact nickname)
PolitiFact.com began in August 2007 as a political fact-checking service by the St. Petersburg (FL) Times. In January 2010, PolitiFact expanded to the Austin (TX) American-Statesman, and then to…
Environazi (environment + Nazi)
Am "environazi" or"enviro-Nazi" (environment + Nazi) is someone who forces radical environmental beliefs upon others. An "environazI" can be an environmental activist…
“Eat well, sleep well” (“Do you want to eat well or sleep well?”)
In 1896, it was reported that Baron Rothschild was asked for advice on financial transactions -- one with a very large rate of interest and another with a smaller rate. Rothschild reportedly said:…
Hedgie
A "hedgie" is a hedge fund or someone who works for a hedge fund. The term "hedgie" has been cited in print since at least 1986-87. The Free DictionaryHedgieSlang for a hedge…
USSA (United Socialist States of America or United States of Socialist America)
Changing "U.S.A." to "U.S.S.A." (for "United Socialist States of America" or "United States of Socialist America") is imitative of "U.S.S.R."…
“If you want to build a crowd, start a fight”
"If you want an audience, start a fight" is often said to be a Gaelic proverb. "If you want to build/draw a crowd, start/pick a fight" is often credited to the showman Phineas…
“America’s chickens are coming home to roost”
"Chickens come home to roost" is an idiomatic expression meaning that bad words or deeds will come back to the speaker or actor. The expression was popularized by Robert Southey, who put…
“To be the best, you have to play the best”
"To be the best, you have to play (against) the best" (or, "You have to play the best, to be the best") is an old sports maxim. Some sports leagues offer stronger competition…