sometimes a cigar is a cigar

“Why does everyone think my breaking my leg was one gigantic manipulation?” Roger complained. “Sometimes a cigar is a cigar.”

1981, Paul Buttenwieser, “Working and Loving”, in Free Association: A Novel, Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN, page 233:

The psychiatrist is the bailee of the coat and is responsible for the security of property brought to his office. The psychiatrist should provide a secure area for patients’ belongings. While the patient might productively examine feelings about the stolen coat, sometimes a cigar is a cigar, and the psychiatrist must deal forthrightly with the reality.

1982, Robert I. Simon, “Case 11: The Psychiatrist and the Patient Bearing Gifts”, in Psychiatric Interventions and Malpractice: A Primer for Liability Prevention, Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas, →ISBN, section III (Clinical Cases Illustrating Thorny Medical-Legal Dilemmas), page 100:

“All right,” I conceded, “but what about the Mexican thing? The guy was down there for years. Then all of a sudden he leaves, surfaces in L.A., and becomes a hotshot.” / “Upward mobility is no felony, and sometimes a cigar is a cigar, Dr. Freud.”

1985, Jonathan Kellerman, chapter 15, in When the Bough Breaks (Alex Delaware; 1), New York, N.Y.: Signet, published May 1986, →ISBN, page 150:

“What a beautiful day, yes?” said Dr. Morales, beaming at the winterscape as if he had created it himself. “It makes you feel like a kid, no?” / “Yes,” I said. “But you couldn’t have had much weather like this in Cuba.” / “You are still at point-counterpoint, eh, Mr. Singer?” / “Just an observation,” I said, moving off down the path. “Sometimes a cigar is a cigar.”

1998, Daniel Menaker, “Part One: The Eden of Anxiety”, in The Treatment, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, →ISBN, page 12:

Jill and Randi have likewise stayed together by talking a lot. “It’s really important to talk,” says Jill, “but also to have a sense of humor. You don’t need to process everything to death—sometimes a cigar is a cigar. The most important thing is to be honest with each other.”

1998, Paula Martinac, “Making It Last”, in The Lesbian and Gay Book of Love and Marriage: Creating the Stories of Our Lives (A Seth Godin Production), New York, N.Y.: Broadway Books, →ISBN, chapter 4 (“For Better or Worse, For Richer or Poorer . . .”), page 172:

Millipede, the sequel to Centipede, takes the Freudian original and ramps up the challenge. As with the original, it was always one of the more popular games with women, for obvious reasons (or maybe sometimes a cigar is a cigar).

2000 October, Steve Bauman, “Atari Arcade Hits Volume II”, in Steve Bauman, editor, Computer Games Magazine, number 119, Richmond, Vt.: Strategy Plus, →ISSN, →OCLC, page C8, column 2:

Sometimes a cigar is a cigar. Your calves are tight because you ran in the cold wind in shorts yesterday.

2002, Jaime Stover Schmitt, “The Essential Postures for Women I: Pelvic Centering, Whole Body Integration, and Balance Poses”, in Every Woman’s Yoga: How to Incorporate Strength, Flexibility, and Balance into Your Life, Roseville, Calif.: Prima Publishing, →ISBN, part 2 (The Vocabulary of Yoga Practice), page 33:

On her website, wendymogel.com, psychologist Wendy Mogel says: “Yes, we psychologists will tell you that some of their questions are really a cover for anxiety. We’ll tell you that, rather than answering the questions directly, your children will profit more if you can unearth or pinpoint their underlying fears. But sometimes a cigar is a cigar. Or worthy curiosity about science or theology.[…]”

2003 September, Willow Bay, “Conversational Comfort Zone”, in Talking to Your Kids in Tough Times: How to Answer Your Child’s Questions About the World We Live In, New York, N.Y.: Warner Books, →ISBN, part II (Their Questions, Your Answers), page 117:

Today, I frequently ask depressed clients, for example, to get a medical consultation to eliminate possible physical or hormonal causes of their symptoms. Sometimes a cigar is a cigar and not a psychological or relational issue.

2006, Pauline Boss, “Cautions About Resiliency”, in Loss, Trauma, and Resilience: Therapeutic Work With Ambiguous Loss, New York, N.Y.: W. W. Norton & Company, →ISBN, part I (The Developing Theory of Ambiguous Loss), chapter 3 (Resilience and Health), page 58:

“I’m not going on the march, Winston, unless you quit smoking that thing. You’re polluting the air, and that makes it hotter here. That thing in your mouth is an instrument of pollution.” / “Sometimes a cigar is a cigar,” growled Winston.

2007, Jean Davies Okimoto, Winston of Churchill: One Bear’s Battle Against Global Warming, Seattle, Wash.: Sasquatch Books, →ISBN:

One more thing I should touch on briefly is how apps can tell whether they’re running under Vista. The GetVersionExA API call gives you the information you need. A simple example is included in IsVista.prj. Figure 11 shows the test procedure running on a Vista machine. Figure 11: Sometimes a cigar is a cigar [Dialog box with “Vista” text and “OK” button]

2008, “Coping With Vista’s Registry Virtualization”, in David Harms, editor, Clarion Tips & Techniques, volume 5, Winnipeg, Man.: CoveComm, published February 2009, →ISBN, “Vista” section, page 271:

One can appreciate that the ‘politics’ of a world cup match between Iran and the USA is not as significant as their current international confrontation over nuclear issues. Nor would we wish to argue that watching pornography is a political act (sometimes, a cigar is a cigar and a naked woman just that) but in a context where the boundaries of public taste and morality are so heavily and literally policed, refusals to accept those definitions can take on political meanings.

2010, Annabelle Sreberny, Gholam Khiabany, “The Politics of and in Blogging”, in Blogistan: The Internet and Politics in Iran (International Library of Iranian Studies; 18), London; New York, N.Y.: I.B. Tauris, published 2011, →ISBN, page 47:

While anal sexuality is socially unacceptable, phallocentric sexuality was, before the ban on tobacco advertising, openly linked with cigarettes, cigars and the lovingly polished car. The director might secretly have hoped that despite his artistic efforts the sexual component of an advertisement would be ignored (sometimes a cigar is a cigar) in the interests of truth.

2010, Dennis Friedman, “Image Makers”, in An Unsolicited Gift: Why We Do What We Do, London: Arcadia Books, published July 2011 (2nd edition), →ISBN, page 103:

It took decades, but eventually Freud’s theories lost their grip. Not every dream is a subconscious journey through a dark tunnel of sexually repressed neuroses. Sometimes a cigar is a cigar—not a phallic symbol.

2011, William J. Birnes, Joel Martin, “The Subconscious, Relativity, Surrealism, and the Paranormal”, in The Haunting of Twentieth-Century America, New York, N.Y.: Forge, →ISBN, page 185:

But we doubt that any of these individuals are influenced by such logical considerations. Instead, they are all likely to be subject to the human weakness so well described by the biblical mote and beam conceit: They are blind to the very same defects in themselves which they are quick to point out in others. A word of warning: Sometimes a cigar is a cigar. It is possible that one partner is domineering/stingy/unstable while the other is not. As with other sayings, one has to differentiate between myth and reality.

2012, Daniela Kramer-Moore, Michael Moore, “It’s not the same thing”, in Destructive Myths in Family Therapy: How to Overcome Barriers to Communication by Seeing and Saying – A Humanistic Perspective, Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, →ISBN, part II (Saying – The Power of Words), chapter 7 (Inequality, or What Can You Expect from a Man?), “Spousal Equality” section, page 122:

“[…] You need GPS to tell you what you . . . ?” / “It makes me feel like there’s someone else in the car, okay?” She cuts me off. / “But you're not the only one in the car. I might be three-fifths of a person in North Carolina but . . .” / “You're never in the car with me . . . even when you're in the car with me.” There’s a silence that is about as long as it is uncomfortable. “You can let some things slide, you know. Sometimes a cigar is a cigar. Besides, I think Mr. T is charming.” I got nothing. “Are you mad?”

2012, H. Valencia, “Deeper than Atlantis”, in As Long As the Blue Canary Sings, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBN, page 46:

sometimes a cigar is just a cigar#English

Alternative form of sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.


a cigar is just a cigar

There's plenty of time for dating later on—look at Janet Reno. Okay, don’t look at Janet Reno. However, assuming that you are seeking romance (and that a cigar is just a cigar), your best bet is to warn would-be companions of potential scheduling snafus ahead of time.

1998 March, Ellen Tien, “Love Q&A”, in Elizabeth Crow, editor, Mademoiselle, New York, N.Y.: Condé Nast Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 81, column 3:

The poem, as you see it, is like the society of the People of the Kilikang before the missionaries arrived, as I read them. That’s how you see it. But to see it that way you had to play some tricks on yourself. You had to ignore this and exaggerate that, overlook this and look beyond that, take it that a cigar is just a cigar here but that a stovepipe hat is a symbol there, rearrange widely distributed elements into a mosaic of your own aspect, for no verbal form is a ball bearing; there are always loose ends and parts that do not quite fit.

2005, George Stade, chapter 9, in Sex and Violence: A Love Story, New York, N.Y.: Turtle Point Press, →ISBN, page 154:

Are self-improvement ideas all futile? Are we simply being manipulated by the Identity System when we try to reach our goals or when we are listening to our bodies and feel that we need to exercise? David’s question hit the nail on the head. The purpose of bridging and mapping is to ensure that a cigar is just a cigar, i.e., that the uncomplicated need to exercise, in this case, remains pure, direct, and simple.

2005, Stanley H. Block with Carolyn Bryant Block, “Befriending Your Identity System through Mind-Body Mapping”, in Come to Your Senses: Demystifying the Mind-Body Connection, Hillsboro, Ore.: Beyond Words Publishing, →ISBN, page 85:

As a child in elementary school, I was very awkward and paranoid, especially in that particular classroom. It is possible that the “demon” represented my fears of not being accepted like the fellow kids because I was different. It is also possible that “a cigar ‘is’ just a “cigar” as Freud would say.

2013, “Dream #39”, in Robert G. Kunzendorf, James W. Veatch, Envisioning the Dream through Art and Science (with 100 Digitally Imaged Dreams), Amityville, N.Y.: Baywood Publishing Company, →ISBN, “Appendix with 100 Artists’ Verbal Descriptions, Interpretations, and Digital Images of Their Own Dreams” section, page 132:

Historically awesome art always means something different from what it superficially appears to suggest—and if future readers can’t convince themselves that the ideas they’re consuming are less obvious than whatever simple logic indicates, that book will disappear. The possibility that a cigar is just a cigar doesn’t work with literary criticism, and that’s amplified by the passage of time.

2016, Chuck Klosterman, “A Quaint and Curious Volume of (Destined-to-Be) Forgotten Lore”, in But What If We’re Wrong? Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past, New York, N.Y.: Blue Rider Press, →ISBN, page 47:

(idiomatic) The matter is simple and straightforward.


a cigar is a cigar

Whenever I have dreamed that memory during the many Thanksgiving vacations I now have hunted in Kentucky, I’ve wondered why I did. It contains no Daliesque symbols. It’s a documentary dream. A cigar is a cigar. But you don’t need a shingle hanging in Vienna to know it has to do with pondering whether hunting, like war, qualifies as justifiable murder.

2002, Walt Harrington, “Twelve Years Later: Thanksgiving”, in The Everlasting Stream: A True Story of Rabbits, Guns, Friendship, and Family, New York, N.Y.: Atlantic Monthly Press, →ISBN, page 12:

Having read the book, I speak for all those who – unless it’s a Rudyard Kipling poem when you know for certain that a cigar is a cigar – have trouble figuring out the hidden meaning of a poem, or even if there was a hidden meaning, thanks for the back stories, Jack.

2011 January 20, Jack O’Connor, quoting Frank Emerson, Memories of Hurricane Katrina and Other Musings, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Trafford Publishing, →ISBN, page xi:

My family is salt-of-the-earth, and certainly not the type to sleep with crystals under their beds to summon some universal wisdom or study their chakras. To them, a cigar is a cigar, and life is pretty straightforward.

2011 September, Jim Harold, “Part V: Eating My Own Dogfood”, in Jim Harold’s Campfire: True Ghost Stories, Pompton Plains, N.J.: New Page Books, page 225:

a cigar is just a cigar
a cigar is just a cigar#English

Alternative form of a cigar is just a cigar.


who would have guessed

who would have thought it
who would have thought it#English

Alternative form of who would have thought it.


who-dunnit

The ballot for chancellor is secret, which means political Berlin has been hurled into a who-dunnit worthy of Miss Marple.

2025 May 7, Mark Sappenfield, “Merz wins in vote that reveals the challenges ahead for Germany”, in The Christian Science Monitor:


ten points from Gryffindor

From the Harry Potter series, in which students of the magical school Hogwarts belong to four houses (Harry Potter belongs to Gryffindor), and earn or lose points for them based on their actions.

Gloria spilt gravy down her front. ‘Ten points from Gryffindor!’ I cried. Billy used the toilet and forgot to pull the flush. ‘Ten points from Gryffindor!’ But pretty soon it stopped raising a laugh. Jed: ‘Isn’t that joke a bit old now, Daddy?’

2003, Dave Hill, chapter 22, in Dad’s Life: Confessions of an Imperfect Father, London: Review, →ISBN, pages 271–272:

“Justin, I appreciate you’ve acknowledged that you should be here, even if you broke about three other rules in that speech.” / “Are you gonna tap on your little screen like Jack and give me the ten points from Gryffindor treatment?”

2013, Trish Cook, Brendan Halpin, “Justin”, in A Really Awesome Mess, New York, N.Y.: Egmont USA, →ISBN, page 45:

“Oh, Mr. Fanjon, I did not see you. How are you?” / Fanjon knew he was taunting him. “I can assure you, Mr. Fine, that if you were in my class right now, I’d put you in detention.” / Neville smiled sadly. “Too bad we’re not at school, mon ami.” / Fanjon went pale. “And collect ten euros from you!” he snarled. / And then Neville put the cherry at the top and made them all howl. “And ten points from Gryffindor!” he cried, and roared in laughter, dropping on all fours and slapping his knees.

2013 July 18, E. Fanjon, The Bullynator, Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse, →ISBN, page 206:

He was outraged that it didn’t have any of the advertised toppings on it […] ‘He’d bought flatbread instead of pizza? Or those ready-made bases?’ / Mum shakes her head, her eyes sparkling with glee. ‘Wrong! Ten points from Gryffindor! Five minutes into the phone call, the guy goes quiet. “Oh,” he says. “I seem to have opened the box upside down.”’

2018, Cat Clarke, chapter 11, in We Are Young, London: Quercus Children’s Books, →ISBN:

“You’re late,” Martha told him, and Max had to pause. […] “Ten points from Gryffindor.” She tutted, shaking her head.

2021, Carla de Guzman, chapter 2, in If the Dress Fits, 2nd edition, Midnight Books, →ISBN:

(humorous) Used to disapprove of a statement or action.

Gryffindor
Harry Potter
Hogwarts
House system


ten points for Gryffindor

Moments later, Jimmy materialized in front of me. “You,” he exclaimed, wild-eyed. “And . . . that guy!” Jimmy flailed his other arm toward the door. / I snapped my fingers in a sassy arc. “Damn straight.” / He was giving me an appraising look, clearly impressed. “I cannot believe this. Seriously. Well played, Sullivan. Ten points for Gryffindor!”

2015 August 18, Linas Alsenas, chapter 15, in Beyond Clueless, New York, N.Y.: Amulet Books, →ISBN, page 122:

“Like the color? I borrowed it from Astrid.” I wave the bright pink in front of his eyes. / “You could wear dull brown on your nails and I’d still think it’s pretty.” / “Oooh,” I say, batting my lashes as he kisses my forehead. “Good answer. Ten points for Gryffindor.”

2017 August 17, Sierra Abrams, “Queued: On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter”, in The Color Project, Columbus, Oh.: Gatekeeper Press, →ISBN, page 226:

You remember my cats’ names? Wow. Ten points for Gryffindor.

2019 November 12, Melissa Brayden, chapter 5, in Back to September, Valley Falls, N.Y.: Bold Strokes Books, →ISBN:

“I look forward to working with you, Monica. I have a hunch that you and I might just become friends.” Monica went to make his coffee, feeling like she’d just been awarded ten points for Gryffindor.

2020 February 4, Clare Pooley, “Monica”, in The Authenticity Project, Toronto, Ont.: Penguin Canada, published 2025, →ISBN, page 40:

“Let me guess,” I said. “He talked to my dad?” / “Ten points for Gryffindor,” Jules said. “Don’t worry about it. I get the phone back tomorrow.”

2020 May 12, Eve Yohalem, chapter 35, in The Truth According to Blue, New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, →ISBN:

“In all fairness, G, it only took her two-and-a-half seconds to come up with that slogan.” I shrug. “We should be grateful for the gift that is her sheer lack of creativity and complete inability to put a remarkable twist on the English language.” / Britt points the pen she’s been using to draw on her bare knee in my direction. “Ten points for Gryffindor!”

2020 June 2, Leah Johnson, chapter 13, in You Should See Me in a Crown, New York, N.Y.: Scholastic Press, →ISBN, Week Two:

ten points to Gryffindor
ten points to Gryffindor#English

Alternative form of ten points to Gryffindor.


is you is or is you ain't

(informal, humorous) Are you, or are you not?


if it ain't snowing, I ain't going

(African-American Vernacular, slang, potentially offensive) An expression, used primarily by nonwhite people, to indicate a romantic or sexual preference for white people, often implying a rejection of people of other racial backgrounds.

African-American Vernacular; potentially offensive; African-American Vernacular; potentially offensive

(humorous) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see snow. Indicating reluctance to go out unless it is snowing.


whatever butters your biscuit

whatever butters your biscuits (alternative)

“And what will I do all by myssself? Twiddle my tail?” / “Whatever butters your biscuit,” Finn called back.

2013, T. Rae Mitchell, chapter 13, in Fate’s Fables, book 1, Blaine, Wash.: Original Mix Media, →ISBN:

“Sure thing. No problemo. Room two seventy, right?” The kid looked meaningfully at Bellamy, the look on his face telegraphing words to the effect of: whatever butters your biscuit.

2014, Olive Balla, chapter 33, in An Arm and a Leg, Adams Basin, N.Y.: The Wild Rose Press, →ISBN:

“[…] I haven’t had sex very often in this bed.” / His dark expression lightened. “That makes me happy.” / Emotion expanded in her chest. “Whatever butters your biscuit.”

2016, Kelly Jamieson, chapter 16, in Icing (Aces Hockey; 2), New York, N.Y.: Loveswept, →ISBN:

She wrote: “There is nothing decorative about raw cotton… A commodity which was gained at the expense of African-American slaves.” OK, lady. You have a right to complain on your Facebook page about whatever butters your biscuit.

2017 September 24, Kelly Kazek, “Offended by cotton? Please don’t take my biscuits and gravy”, in The Huntsville Times, volume 108, number 80, Huntsville, Ala., →ISSN, →OCLC, page D2, column 1:

I can’t figure why you’d want to paint the cabinets, but whatever butters your biscuit.

2021, Jaime Berry, “Never to Suffer”, in Hope Springs, New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, published 2022, →ISBN:

whatever floats your boat
whatever floats your boat#English


whatever butters your biscuits

Actually, we've been over this material before. To review, the posters agreed that: 1) Tea is very pretty, with lovely, expressive eyes, 2) She has to be marked front and back. Whatever butters your biscuits, my fellow MSTies.

1997 May 14, Noah Singman, “David Duchovy married Tea Leoni!!???”, in rec.arts.tv.mst3k.misc (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-15:

I *might* get a six someday. Any more strings than that is just silly, though. IMO. But, hey, whatever butters your biscuits. :)

2003 February 24, Tom Comber, “have 5 string fretless-- do I need 4 string fretless?”, in alt.guitar.bass (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-15:

“Let’s do that dollar deal, Miss Harvey. That’un works best for me ’cause, in truth, I’m not exactly sure how long I’ll be in Devils River.” / “Fine by me. Whatever butters your biscuits just suits me right down to the ground, mister.”

2008, Tabor Evans [pseudonym], chapter 2, in Longarm in Devils River (Longarm; 361), New York, N.Y.: Jove Books, →ISBN, page 21:

If dates, places, and times don’t quite match what you as the reader feel are correct, you have the writer’s permission to take a pencil, scratch through that offensive piece of bull feathers, and add whatever butters your biscuits.

2016, J. Lee Butts, “Preface”, in Texas Bad Girls: Hussies, Harlots, and Horse Thieves, Guilford, Conn.: Lone Star Books, →ISBN, page xi:

whatever butters your biscuit
whatever butters your biscuit#English

Alternative form of whatever butters your biscuit.


whatever butters your bread

They were very nice people actually, in their own way, they just had very focused views on the benefits of pain over pleasure, and yeah, whatever, each to their own, whatever butters your bread, you know, I don’t really care as long as they are happy.

2004, Bradley Trevor Greive, quotee, “‘Die first, quit later’”, in Kate Bezar, editor, Dumbo feather, pass it on., number 2, Sydney, N.S.W.: Bezar Holdings, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 26:

Captain Love collects the jinetes names and then, like a smart man, or a coward, whatever butters your bread, departs.

2004, Humberto Garza, “Misinformation on Murrieta Orozco, ‘El Patrio’”, in Joaquín: Demystifying the Murrieta Legend, San Jose, Calif.: Sun House, →ISBN, page 58:

Move the expression pedal to the heel down position and set the six knobs any way you like. Then move the expression pedal to the toe down position and move any of the knobs to create a different sound. You can change one knob, or two, or all of them. Whatever butters your bread.

2011 November 7, Boomerang® E-155 Chorus*Delay Pedal: User’s Manual, Grapevine, Tex.: Boomerang Musical Products, page 6:

“Indentured servants were a better class of people.” / “Well,” said Maurice Overstreet, “if it makes you feel better to think so, then. . . whatever butters your bread.” […] “But,” said Faye, not to be outdone, “technically Columbus didn’t get to the mainland. They ended up somewhere in the West Indies. Last I checked, that’s not really America.” / “Right,” Allen said, “and Babatunde was in Virginia.” / Maurice took a sip of wine. “As I said before – whatever butters your bread.”

2015, Lauren Cecile, chapter 40, in Eyes Like Mine, North Charleston, S.C.: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, →ISBN, page 184:

“[…] If I can’t be of any use on this earth in solving crimes while I am alive, I would like to assist in continuing to solve them after I am deceased.” / Stepping off the elevator, I barely got clipped by the doors closing. “That’s fine. Whatever butters your bread, or floats your boat, or whatever.”

2016, T[ammy] L[ynn] Garrison, chapter 16, in The Twisted Blackmailer (Watson & Holmes; 1), London: MX Publishing, →ISBN, pages 197–198:


whatever butters your muffin

NOT TO MENTION Creating new player characters for all the bozos who creak and moan about having to pick from the pre-gens. of course you can make your own PCs. do whatever butters your muffin.

1994, Daniel Thorn, Todd Shaughnessy, Chris Elliott, “HōLmeistering”, in HōL: Human Occupied Landfill, [Georgia?]: Black Dog Game Factory, published 1995, →ISBN:

So rather than get all up in your dicta, though ever responsive to the needs of the readership, we figured that if folks insist on getting down (or up, or around . . . whatever butters your muffin), the very least we could do is write about it.

2007, Res Gestae, volume 58, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Law School, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 10, column 1:

“I don’t really care if you hang out with the kid,” Greg went on, “or take her out shopping, or have a tea party, or whatever butters your muffin.[…]”

2015, Nene Adams, chapter 12, in Sweet, Tallahassee, Fla.: Bella Books, →ISBN:

I don’t recommend it though, his book, unless you are into incest, pee, and the word “rectum.” But then, whatever butters your muffin.

2019, J.R. Hamilton, “Part Four”, in Prick, [Morrisville, N.C.]: [Lulu.com], →ISBN:


whatever butters your toast

So fair enough, people will play. I know a friend from the village who spends 20 quid a week on lottery tickets, has done since the start and hasn't won a bean. Whatever butters your toast....

1995 December 5, Darren Hebden, “What would *you* pay for an excellent mud?”, in rec.games.mud.admin (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-15:

Now, some people would *drink* 'em, but whatever butters your toast.

1998 July 22, Stan (the Man), “october 17, 1998”, in misc.writing (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-15:

The 160's and 165's are great units and can work for bass. If you are on a budget and want that DBX thing the 160a is a great, simple unit that you can pick up for 350 and can be strapped together for stereo. I'm not a fan of the 160x or the other versions but whatever butters your toast...

2000 September 18, Kevin F Rose, “DBX Compressors...Someone fill me in?”, in rec.audio.pro (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-15:

“[…] At my age, my body appreciates it when I give it much rest. I believe I will continue resting it in the comfortable seat of the Caballero.” / “Whatever butters your toast, then,” Jason said.

2007, Tom Walsh, chapter 4, in Three Cavaliers, United States: Living Life Fully Publications, →ISBN, page 51:

Call it Australia Day, or call the 26th of January invasion day, whatever butters your toast, however the question should be asked, are so-called Aboriginals better off now than they would have been had not this continent been settled by the British?

2018 February 8, “Letters to the Editor”, in Magnet, Eden, N.S.W., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 8:


it's not a bug, it's a feature

Coined by American computer programmer Sandra Lee Harris in 1971 at Digital Equipment Corporation.

coinage

INABIAF (alternative)
it's a feature, not a bug (alternative)

(computing) What one user may consider a software bug, other users may consider to be a useful feature or an intentional consequence of the system's design.

(humorous) A self-deprecating response when confronted by a bug in the software that one is authored or is introducing to another user.

one man's trash is another man's treasure

One annoyance, or maybe it’s one of those “it’s-not-a-bug-it’s-a-feature” situations, is the gearshift.

1999 September 2, “Long-term Test Cars”, in Popular Mechanics, New York City:

“It is a feature, not a bug of Article 3 that the courts grant relief for the people in front of them,” Sauer said.

2025 May 15, Bart Jansen, quoting D. John Sauer, “Brown Jackson questioned how courts help multiple victims with only one litigant”, in USA Today, New York City, retrieved 2025-05-15:

(by extension) Affirms the validity of a counterintuitive behavior within a system; it is by design.


whatever tickles your pickle

Give up chocolate, fine. Give up cholesterol, well, it’s better if you do that anyway. Give up whistling the national anthem while taking a shower, hey, whatever tickles your pickle. But give up sex? Let’s think about this.

1995 March 3, Viet Dinh, “Vietisms: Everything You Wanted to Know about Sects but Were Afraid to Ask”, in Mark Binker, Johnny J. Wong, editors, The Johns Hopkins News-Letter, volume XCIX, number 18, Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University, →OCLC, page A14, columns 1–2:

Well, it’s hardly rocket science – just shake the maracas in time to the music, or at least the balls as they hit the circles, and hey presto! – you’re samba-ing. Shaking your arse is of course optional, as is wearing a poncho, sombrero and stupid moustache. Whatever tickles your pickle.

2000 December, Alex Warren, “Samba de Amigo”, in Simon Phillips, editor, Dreamcast Magazine, number 16, Bournemouth, Dorset: Paragon Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 48, columns 2–3:

“You never struck me as a big birthday-party type,” she said. / “Yeah,” Thea said, “I know, but I used to have one every year back at CdM, and sixteen’s like a big birthday, you know?” / Evelyn ate a slice of home-dried kiwi. “Whatever tickles your pickle,” she said.

2006, Jeremy Iversen, “Two Weeks Go Deep”, in High School Confidential: Secrets of an Undercover Student, New York, N.Y.: Atria Books, →ISBN, part 3, page 135:

‘What are you going to do? Charge me with saving the girl’s life?’ / Hadden closed his notebook and stared at Delaney for a long, condescending moment. ‘We’ll let you know what we are going to charge you with when we decide.’ / ‘Whatever tickles your pickle, Richard.’

2008 April, Mark Pearson, chapter 22, in Hard Evidence (DI Jack Delaney; 1), London: Arrow Books, →ISBN, page 220:

Do what you feel like, and hope that it sticks. If it doesn’t, throw it again. Maybe it sticks the next time over. And if it doesn’t, who cares? It’s just one insignificant life wasted in the vast ocean of lives all around. Whatever floats your boat, whatever melts your butter, whatever humps your camel, whatever sizzles your bacon, whatever tickles your pickle…

2008 May 14, Karan Bajaj, “It’s All a Waste”, in Keep off the Grass, New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India; India Today Group, →ISBN, pages 15–16:

“I’m not gay,” I said under my breath. / “Hey, whatever tickles your pickle, man. I don’t pass judgment.[…]”

2008 May 27, Meagan Brothers, “Attack of the Giant Ants”, in Debbie Harry Sings in French, New York, N.Y.: Henry Holt and Company, →ISBN, page 196:


WIBTA

From r/AmITheAsshole, a community on Reddit where users ask for feedback on whether they behaved inappropriately in interpersonal conflicts.

(Internet slang, Reddit slang) Initialism of would I be the asshole or will I be the asshole.


whatever sizzles your bacon

‘[…] We’ll have a big night out. Whole office. All on me. You make the arrangements.’ / ‘Er . . . what sort of arrangements?’ / ‘What sort of arrangements? Hey, you’re the content guy, right?’ / ‘Er, right.’ Taras said. / ‘So then. Whatever you guys like doing. Whatever sizzles your bacon.[…]’

2010 March 4, Penny Rudge, chapter 22, in Foolish Lessons in Life and Love, large print edition, Anstey, Leicestershire: Charnwood, →ISBN, page 157:

‘We’re looking forward to having him. He’s top of his class in the junior school.’ / ‘Well, if I had my way, he’d be going somewhere else – somewhere that still plays rugby. But his mother thinks this place would be better for his education. It’s, like, whatever sizzles your bacon.’

2010 October 7, Paul Howard, “Sei parte ormai di me”, in The Oh My God Delusion (Ross O’Carroll-Kelly; 10), Dublin: Penguin Ireland, →ISBN, page 270:

They [dragons] gather here each night at 9 o’clock. One last moonlit flight before turning in for the night. Helps them relax, they say. I myself prefer a good jog, but whatever sizzles your bacon, right?

2016 May 31, Jen Crane, chapter 10, in Betrayal Foretold (Descended of Dragons; 3), Carpe Noctem Publishing, →ISBN:

"I was wondering if you would let me maybe do a little baking and, ah, cooking, and maybe some… decorating?" I asked, each word more and more hesitant than the last. / "Babe, whatever sizzles your bacon. Do it up. But you gotta make enough cookies for me.[…]"

2016 December 8, Jessica Gadziala, “Lyra”, in Unwrapped, →ISBN, page 36:


pardonnez mon français

From a French calque of pardon my French, perhaps from the irony of using actual French to apologize for the "French" (obscenity) the speaker worries might cause offense.

Out on the street, the bald guy, you know, Julie’s, pulls out these car keys and heads straight for this pink Buick Electra convertible! They could just die, and the little runt is grinning like a shiteater, pardonnez mon français.

1988, Trey Ellis, chapter 28, in Platitudes (Vintage Contemporaries), New York, N.Y.: Vintage Books, →ISBN, page 100:

Pardonnez mon francais, mais why the fuck did God distribute these "possessions" of ours so unevenly?

1996 September 10, Wayne Delia, “The Question: Is God "All Powerful"?”, in alt.bible (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-18:

I always thought it was "tabernacle" and, for emphasis "chalice du tabernacle." (pardonnez mon Français, SVP) I was always amused how the expression would shock les vieilles femmes de Caraquet where I spent the summers in my youth but these same women used four letter English expletives without a seconds' thought.

1998 July 12, Tony Fitzgerald, “NB.FRANCAIS”, in nb.general (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-18:

Clearly Saddam wants to push things up until the eleventh hour, and is seriously testing his limits. Therein lies his unwillingness to cooperate, and his potential for further wrongdoing. Therefore, one way or another, that fucker has got to go, pardonnez mon Francais.

2003 February 11, Dave, “OT: Blair plagarizes, Powell quotes and praises it?”, in alt.guitar.amps (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-19:

“Can you imagine me buying something off someone?” he [Eddie Irvine] asks. “What is the point? I was in Paris the other week and I met this guy who was doing cocaine, out of his hand. I’m thinking: Get a f**king life!” Pardonnez mon francais, but Eddie Irvine has a f***ing life all right. Apart from the Ferraris, the helicopter, the private jet and the millions in the bank, he has two houses in Dalkey (“I love Dalkey — it’s one of the most special places in the world”), an apartment in New York he has slept in four nights in as many years, homes in Miami, St-Tropez, Macau and Milan, and a floating shag-palace called Anaconda which he keeps moored in the bay off Portofino.

2003 August 31, Barry Egan, “Steady, Eddie”, in Sunday Independent, Dublin, →ISSN, →OCLC, “Living” section, page 3, column 3:

His zeal for sports and for following them on TV, and his excessive taste for long celebrations and orgiastic festivities were also wearing thin on some of his lieutenants, those frontline soldiers who had gone through, pardonnez mon français, hell and back, jumping up and down and leading strangers astray and murdering and chopping them and then eating them along with pals.

2006, Amir Parsa, chapter 10, in Drive-by Cannibalism in the Baroque Tradition: or, The Book of Being Sick of It All: It All It All It All, Multiplied by Infinity, Brooklyn, N.Y.: UpSet Press, published 2015, →ISBN, part II, page 221:

I think the second part is that I receive and believe messages that I'm a bad person. This is (pardonnez mon français) bullshit, and maybe I'm not just speaking about my own problems here, but maybe someone can relate, and realize that they're also being handed a steaming load of emotional crap.

2006 March 1, Ian Rastall, “Here's a thought”, in alt.support.anxiety-panic.moderated (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-19:

pardon my French
pardon my French#English


say it louder for the ones in the back

louder for the people at the back#English

Alternative form of louder for the people at the back.


From 86 (“get rid of, kill”) + 47 (“second presidency of Donald Trump”)

af

In a now-deleted post on Instagram, Comey shared a photo of what he described as a "shell formation" on a beach that formed the numbers "8647."

2025 May 15, Nnamdi Egwuonwu, “Former FBI Director James Comey under investigation for post seen as a potential threat to Trump's life”, in NBC News:

The former FBI director James Comey has said it did not occur to him that that the numbers 8647 – which he spotted spelled out in seashells on a beach, and posted on social media – could be interpreted as a call to assassinate the president, as many supporters of Donald Trump have claimed.

2025 May 16, Edward Helmore, “What does ‘8647’ really mean? Not what Trump’s supporters are saying”, in The Guardian:

(US politics, slang) A numeric code advocating for the impeachment of (and in some cases, the death of) Donald Trump.


whatever winds your clock

The toy company is apparently announcing her selection Saturday at a press conference. “I thought my agent was playing a joke,” says the single mother of a 6-year-old girl. “I never dreamed I’d be Barbie.” Whatever winds your clock.

1993 October 6, Pat Simms, “Snoop: Doctor meets Crawford after all”, in Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wis., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1B, column 1:

No one cared less if Dex—Dos—wanted to stand and eavesdrop on people’s conversations. The waiter had passed through the swinging door a number of times while Dex stood hiding behind it with his ear pressed to the crack and only once did he stop to look at him; he shook his head with vague disapproval and smiled at the little bald-headed dish cleaner. “Whatever winds your clock, buddy. You better hope you don’t get caught, he’s a regular here.”

2002, Bobbi McCutcheon, chapter 18, in Father Mars, Mother Earth, New York, N.Y.: RJ Communications; Juneau, Alas.: Gray Rabbit Enterprise, →ISBN, page 214:

“I just wanted to remind the guys that there’s a bigger purpose here, don’t get caught up in what we did the last couple of games. Let’s go out here tonight and play against a team that knows how to be champions.” Jazz coach Jerry Sloan didn’t know Fisher planned to address the team, but he didn’t mind. “I don’t care what they bring out, as long as it isn’t illegal,” Sloan said with a laugh. “Whatever winds your clock. We need whatever help we can get.”

2006 November 30, Phil Miller, “Jazz Notes: Fisher becomes impromptu ringleader”, in The Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Ut., →ISSN, →OCLC:

“The Bear, I’ve had since I was an infant. It’s of great sentimental value to me. So it’s always with me. On the road, it stays in my suitcase. I do like my Bear, OK?” Hey, kid, whatever winds your clock …

2007 March 5, Randy Galloway, “Galloway: Daniels’ gamble could pay off big time”, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Tex., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 4D, column 6:

“Ninety percent of the work is done in the field. You guys will never change that.” / “I like to think my ten percent gives you guys a reason to be in the field.” / Kremp shook his head sadly. “Whatever winds your clock.”

2011, Curt Batson, “The Shuffle”, in Lucky Stiffs, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBN, section 3, page 43:

“You know that the Peace River country was settled long after the rest of the country. My growing-up years were something like fifty years behind the life experienced by town people like you.” / “But surely that difference vanished when you got into city life.” / “I got used to city life. But I don’t think I’ve ever really accepted it.” / “I don’t know why, but whatever winds your clock.”

2021, Lea Tassie, “Saving Water”, in Eyes Like a Hawk:


From 86 (“get rid of, kill”) + 46 (“Joe Biden”)

The number 86 has also been used by Republicans calling for the impeachment of Joe Biden – for example, T-shirts sold on Amazon reading “8646”, indicating a call to impeach Biden (the 46th president) – with some liberals accusing the right of deliberately misunderstanding Comey’s intent to score political points.

(US politics, slang) A numeric code advocating for the impeachment of (and in some cases, the death of) Joe Biden.


whatever melts your butter

Police said they offered to hold the man’s two black cases containing hundreds of rings, necklaces, assorted bracelets, earrings and belt buckles while he checked into a jail cell. “Whatever melts your butter,” the salesman replied.

1979 November 19, “People”, in Victoria Times, 96th year, number 135, Victoria, B.C., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 25, column 1:

“[…] What’s her bond?” / “Fifteen thousand dollars.” / “She’s a mother, right? She’s got two children down there in Medellín?” / “You’re telling me . . .” / “I wouldn’t think of such a thing. You do whatever melts your butter. Just remember how poor the State of Florida is, and that we could use the bail money.”

1993, Clifford Irving, chapter 3, in Final Argument: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, page 36:

Do what you feel like, and hope that it sticks. If it doesn’t, throw it again. Maybe it sticks the next time over. And if it doesn’t, who cares? It’s just one insignificant life wasted in the vast ocean of lives all around. Whatever floats your boat, whatever melts your butter, whatever humps your camel, whatever sizzles your bacon, whatever tickles your pickle…

2008 May 14, Karan Bajaj, “It’s All a Waste”, in Keep off the Grass, New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India; India Today Group, →ISBN, pages 15–16:

Our safety briefing this morning was sprinkled with his colorful Arkansas-born sayings. “Roger, you run the lighting show. Take one or two burners, whatever melts your butter. Keep an eye on the east line. When this gets romping and stomping, I don’t want everyone scattered from here to breakfast.”

2017, Mary Emerick, “Burning the Prairies”, in Fire in the Heart: A Memoir of Friendship, Loss, and Wildfire, New York, N.Y.: Arcade Publishing, →ISBN, page 14:


whatever humps your camel

Heh heh, well then stop yer whinging - If I'm not mistaken, you've just done taking someone to task for not knowing 'you' - yet you 'know' all about 'us' being there or all there, quite a judgement call, would you say. However, whatever humps your camel, or takes your horse to water, just don't try to make 'me' drink it - I have unusual tastes and some tasty projections!!!

2000 November 24, Tommy kins, “Turkey Day?”, in alt.recovery.aa (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-05-17:

Friend: What do you wanna do later? Me: Whatever humps your camel.

2007, “whatever humps your camel”, in Aaron Peckham, compiler, Mo’ Urban Dictionary: Ridonkulous Street Slang Defined, Kansas City, Mo.: Andrews McMeel Publishing, →ISBN, page 225, column 2:

PLAYER 2: What makes that date so buzzworthy? PLAYER 1: The buzz being, it was still illegal to serve alcohol to openly gay men. But on that day, a group of us stormed the establishment, slapped our hands on the bar and shouted, “We are homosexuals and demand to be served!” Or was it serviced? No, no…that, that came later. Much, much later. After the drinks. PLAYER 2: Whatever humps your camel.

2009 January 20, Paul M. Kelly, “Dishing at Julius’”, in Stage Whispers: Plays in One Act, Bloomington, Ind.: AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 118:

Whatever humps your camel. Why do you think London is such an inspiring capital for fashion and design? London is the Toys R Us of cities.


rinse-repeat

Studies show that for a vast majority of people, diets don’t work in the long term. This did not stop WeightWatchers from re-enrolling those customers, again and again, with the implicit promise that this time would be different. I was one of those rinse-repeat clients.

2025 May 15, Jennifer Weiner, “WeightWatchers Got One Thing Very Right”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

lather, rinse, repeat
lather, rinse, repeat#English

Alternative form of lather, rinse, repeat.


dónde está la biblioteca

donde esta la biblioteca
donde esta la biblioteca#English

Alternative form of donde esta la biblioteca.


b"r

Rabbi Meir b"r Avraham Zack

2024, David Golinkin, “Is It Permissible Or Required For The State Of Israel To Extradite A Wanted Criminal To Another Country”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 4, page 177:

Honorific form of Hebrew patronymic formula, indicating the individual’s father was a rabbi or otherwise worthy of respect.


YWNBARM

Acronym of you will never be a real man.

Alternative form of YWNBAM (“you will never be a man”).


you will own nothing and be happy

World Economic Forum
w:World Economic Forum

A prediction made by the World Economic Forum, suggesting a future where individuals will primarily have access to goods and services rather than owning them, relying on shared services for their daily needs.

Fully Automated Luxury Gay Space Communism


head

you can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride

See rap (“record of arrest and prosecution”). The "ride" is being taken away in the back of a police car. Already known as a saying in 1973.

But you get to the point of you can beat the rap, but you cannot beat the ride, and that is really a good description I think of a lot of litigation, and what the patent trolls rely on. All right, it is going to be hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to hire a lawyer. I can beat the rap, but I am going to end with a million-dollar ride.

2015 March 25, United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Patent Reform: Protecting American Innovators and Job Creators from Abusive Patent Litigation, U.S. Government Publishing Office, page 56:

The jury might acquit you - you could beat the rap. But hang on tight, Rick. You're not going to beat the ride.

2015, Barbara Parker, Criminal Justice, Open Road Media, →ISBN:

"The charge?" Chalmers rattled off a list of offenses, a few of which turned Prance's already defeated mood more solemn. "Give me a break," he said. "You can always beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride. Captain, you are going for a goddamn long ride."

2022, Peter Farris, The Devil Himself: A Novel, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:

(informal) You can't escape the inconvenience and/or cost of the legal process even if you are innocent and the charges are ultimately dropped or you get acquitted.


better luck next time

Used to wish somebody hope in future success after a failure.


as the bishop said to the actress

as the actress said to the bishop#English

Alternative form of as the actress said to the bishop.


the devil and the deep blue sea

between the devil and the deep blue sea#English

Alternative form of between the devil and the deep blue sea.


the devil to pay and no pitch hot or ready

devil to pay, and no pitch hot
devil to pay, and no pitch hot#English

Synonym of devil to pay, and no pitch hot.


as previously mentioned

Used before referring to or elaborating on something that was said earlier. (This entry is a translation hub.)


I gotta love you and leave you

I have to love you and leave you#English

(slang) Alternative form of I have to love you and leave you.


much adoe about nothing

much ado about nothing
much ado about nothing#English


if ever there has been one

Tom Faggus was a jovial soul, if ever there has been one, not making bones of little things, nor caring to seek evil. There was about him such a love of genuine human nature, that if a traveller said a good thing, he would give him back his purse again.

1869, R[ichard] D[oddridge] Blackmore, chapter XI, in Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Sampson Low, Son, & Marston, […], →OCLC:

if ever there was one
if ever there was one#English

Alternative form of if ever there was one.


what the flip

Person 1: Just you and me now. I'm gonna touch you.

Person 2: Alright, dude, what the flip?


the girls are fighting

Did you hear about the fiery shouting match between the cabinet picks yesterday? The girls are fighting.

There’s been so much infighting on the left/right over this issue lately; the girls are fighting.

(humorous) Used to describe a dramatic conflict between two or more powerful individuals or groups, especially one perceived as petty or out of touch.


maximum attack

Just as night follows day, he would tender an unblinking death stare before uttering: “Now we go maximum attack!” And he did.

2023 November 19, “Maximum attack! In conversation with Markku Alén”, in Classic & Sports Car, retrieved 2025-05-30:

(chiefly Finland) To drive as fast as possible, particularly in motor racing.


before you can say Jack Robertson

before you can say Jack Robinson#English

(Australia) Alternative form of before you can say Jack Robinson.


show don't tell

show, don't tell
show, don't tell#English


whom am I kidding

who am I kidding
who am I kidding#English

(uncommon) Alternative form of who am I kidding.


before the ink was dry

ink isn't dry on
ink isn't dry on#English


(Internet slang) Initialism of good to vibe.


hippity hoppity

hippity hoppity get off my property#English

(humorous) Underlined ellipsis of hippity hoppity get off my property.

Appendix:Snowclones/hippity hoppity X is property

(humorous) Underlined ellipsis of hippity hoppity X is property.


say that again

Short for "could you say that again?" or similar question.


say that again

Fantastic Four (2015 film)
Mister Fantastic
Thing (comics)

From the ending of Fantastic Four (2015 film), where The Thing says "I've got to say, it's fantastic" and Mister Fantastic replies with "say that again?"

(humorous, Marvel fandom slang) Used after someone has said fantastic.


noah fence

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why are you erecting a barrier round your house?
 To prevent flooding.
 Noah Fence?
 None taken, mate.

2014, Hill, Harry, 1964- author, Harry Hill's colossal compendium, page 263:

Knock, knock.
 Who's there?
 Noah.
 Noah who?
 Noah fence but you're asking a lot of questions.

2017, Knock knock!: the biggest, best joke book ever, Honesdale, Pennsylvania : Highlights Press, page 230:

[Legit] Noah fence y’all

2018 October 10, u/six_oh_free, reddit.com, archived from the original on 2025-06-06:

Noah fence but I’m still finding it really hard to contemplate Yang sending her bff a MAN as a gift because she doesn’t value them like that. An awesome surgery maybe but a potential boyfriend?? Seems wildly out of character.

2020 January 28, u/ProfessionalBinger_, reddit.com, archived from the original on 2025-06-06:

Pronunciation spelling
pronunciation spelling

(humorous, slang) Pronunciation spelling of no offense.


the computer says no

This was no human assessor, however: just an algorithm triggered by what was considered an ‘out of character transaction’. The computer says no. My subsequent demand that the bank reimburse me for the extra cost I had incurred as a result of its software vetoing my first purchase attempt, was, needless to say, rejected.

2015 February 22, Dominic Lawson, “DOMINIC LAWSON: The self-service plague and why I’m fed up with doing other people’s jobs for them”, in Daily Mail, London: DMG Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2015-02-23:

My bank accounts were still under my old name, which legally no longer existed. For months I had to carry around a large folder containing my old ID and a copy of the court order declaring my name change. Even then, human clerks and bank tellers would sometimes see the discrepancy, shrug and say “the computer says no” while denying me access to my accounts.

2017 September 13, Chelsea Manning, “Chelsea Manning: The Dystopia We Signed Up for”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2017-09-13:

What if, the next time he needs to renew his passport for a family holiday, the computer says no? How can he be sure his life won’t unravel in some faceless official’s hands?

2020 January 17, Gaby Hinsliff, “EU nationals are fearful. And after Windrush, they should be”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Vardag, one of the UK’s highest-paid divorce lawyers, said the judge had reached a “bad decision” and that he had “decided, effectively, ‘the computer says no, you’re divorced’”.

2024 April 15, Emine Sinmaz, “Wrong couple get divorced after solicitor ‘clicks wrong button’”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

computer says no
computer says no#English


ho kua bo ho jiak

[ˌhoː˨˦ ˈkʰwɑː˦˨ boː˨˩ ˌhoː˨˦ ˈt͡s˭jɑʔ˦˧]

From Hokkien 好看無好食 /好看无好食 (hó-khòaⁿ bô hó-chia̍h, literally “good to look at, not good to eat”).

bor

Sure, they turn heads. But what is it like riding one of these scooters with a sidecar? When I first saw one of Mr Johnny Chen’s creations online, I thought “ho kua bo ho jiak” (Hokkien slang which means all style and no substance) […]

2014 May 17, Kevin Chin, The Straits Times, Singapore, Life! Motoring, page 2:

all style and no substance
all style and no substance

(Singlish, idiomatic) Superficial; incompetent or having no substance despite appearances, skin-deep; portraying oneself as greater than one actually is; all style and no substance.

(Singlish, of food, literally) Unpalatable despite having great presentation.


there is something in the water

It used to a be a restaurant/bar that closed after the pandemic – as did about 14% of restaurants in central London – but it was a vegan one, suggesting there is something in the filtered tap water.

2025 February 14, Morwenna Ferrier, “‘Butter is a perception’: inside the UK’s first plant-based Michelin-starred restaurant”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Slowly, slightly, faith is trickling back, at least into Britain. There's something in the water. Religion is civilised table talk.

2025 May 31, Tanjil Rashid, “Finding their religion”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 9:

there must be something in the water#English

Alternative form of there must be something in the water.


it is how it is

“[…] I mean the Dark Lord’s something I’ve heard before, I think. It sounds so…” Alex smiled, “mythical.” / Nikolas relaxed. “Oh...” he laughed it off. “Yes, well, it is how it is.”

2013, Delson Armstrong, “Calmness”, in The Elemental King (Red Serpent; 3), New York, N.Y.: 9ine, →ISBN, page 176:

“I came to see Aled.” / “I wasn’t aware you still cared for any member of your family.” / “Only the good ones,” said Carys through gritted teeth. / Carol raised an eyebrow. “Well, it is how it is. I’m not here to see you and, frankly, I don’t want to. I want to talk to my real child.”

2016 February 25, Alice Oseman, “On Your Own”, in Radio Silence (Osemanverse; 9), London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN, page 377:

I did, for a while, but haven’t seen any of them for over a year or so now, I don’t think. / Oh. That’s a shame. That’s not good. / Well, it is how it is. How about you? Do you ever see them?

2016 July 28, Dan Micklethwaite, chapter 16, in The Less Than Perfect Legend of Donna Creosote, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire: Bluemoose Books, →ISBN, page 71:

it is what it is
it is what it is#English


what can one do

‘What’s the use of weeping now, Brother Vikentiy? You should have thought of this before. Now it’s too late.’ He made a good monk, however. Not that he is perfect. Of course, he would never go near a woman, but then, you know. . . . Oh, well, what can one do? The spirit is strong, but the flesh is weak.

1929 September, Gleb Botkin, chapter 16, in The God Who Didn’t Laugh, New York, N.Y.: Payson & Clarke Ltd, →OCLC, pages 92–93:

An exception to the general principle that the gesture precedes the words is the one used to replace words. The gesture then should terminate the thought and be followed by a pause so that there is no confusion that action did not suit the word. Thus, if a speaker wishes to act out rather than say “oh well, what can one do” by shrugging his shoulders, a pause should follow the gesture before oral speech is resumed.

1964, Jon Eisenson, Paul H. Boase, “Speaking in public”, in Basic Speech, 2nd edition, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Collier-Macmillan Limited, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 292:

“The boss is the one who makes the profit,” the boy answered. “I’m just a half-starved flea in this place.” / “I know. But look at that! Fifty-nine cents for an avocado. Oh, well, what can one do. Give me one. After a while nobody will be able to eat in New York. Food is gold in this country. Give me two plantains. I won't even ask how much they cost because they never go for less than a quarter.”

1966, Oscar Lewis, “Days with Simplicio in New York”, in La Vida: A Puerto Rican Family in the Culture of Poverty—San Juan and New York, New York, N.Y.; Toronto, Ont.: Random House, →ISBN, →LCCN, part IV (Simplicio), page 435:

Her name is Helen Hum, but perhaps it’s more correct to say that her name is Helen Ho Hum – as in oh well, what can one do really?

1994, Sky Lee, “The Woman Downstairs”, in Bellydancer: Stories, Vancouver, B.C.: Press Gang Publishers, →ISBN, page 10:

‘I’ve probably damaged his ego, that’s all.’ / ‘Oh definitely, Meredith, I’m certain of that. But I also believe that our Reed, the glamorous playboy, fell rather heavily for you. That’s always been my opinion. Oh well, what can one do . . . He finally met his Waterloo.’

1996, Barbara Taylor Bradford, chapter 6, in Her Own Rules, London: BCA [Book Club Associates] by arrangement with HarperCollinsPublishers, →OCLC, part 1 (Time Present), page 75:

“Good God, the laziness! You should have continued on with the others, my good man of God! You should not have come back like a guanaco thirsty for the taste of chicha!” / “But there are no traces of the chapetones left anywhere! And the others will also return, just like me.” / “May the Heavens not allow such idleness! This would mean the miserable loss of the fruits of such a joyous victory. Oh well. . . . What can one do?! Tell me, at least, in some kind of orderly manner, what happened since you arrived in Oruro.”

1998, Nataniel Aguirre, translated by Sergio Gabriel Waisman, “The Battle of Aroma According to Alejo”, in Alba María Paz-Soldán, editor, Juan de la Rosa: Memoirs of the Last Soldier of the Independence Movement (Library of Latin America), New York, N.Y.; Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 69:

There have been lawsuits about separation of church and state and sharing your faith on the job. Some Christians have simply shrugged their shoulders and said, “Oh, well. What can one do?” Our evangelistic efforts have largely folded in the face of resistance.

2000, “This Lesson in Your Life: Reaching Out to Others”, in Wesley C. Reagan, editor, The Higley Lesson Commentary (International Uniform Sunday School Series), 68th volume (2000-2001), Jacksonville, Fla.: Higley Publishing Corporation, →ISBN, page 348:


thrill of the hunt

Then, a couple of years ago, Bolle chanced upon a hamper filled with baseball cards at a yard sale. Bolle, 41, bought the treasure chest for $5, and as he was going through the loot, he remembered the thrill of the hunt for cards of his favored Dodgers, and the important role baseball played in his childhood.

2003 May 8, “It's all in the cards”, in Los Angeles Times, page E38:

While stamps vary in price from their street value to the vaulted collectible price for the "Inverted Jenny," which fetched $977,500 at auction, Canupp said his event, which has been held three times a year since 1992, is more about sharing knowledge and the thrill of the hunt than getting rich.

2011 July 8, “Asheville Stamp and Postcard Show is signed, sealed and delivered”, in Asheville Citizen-Times:

(idiomatic) The anticipation and excitement experienced while searching for something that is difficult to obtain.


it is as it is

Well, it is as it is, and must be borne. It shall be borne undespondingly, though not without grief.

1859 October 5, [Lajos] Kossuth, quotee, “Kossuth and Napoleon [III]”, in The Nonconformist, volume XIX (New Series), number 727, London, →OCLC, page 803, column 2:

Well, it is as it is. Thank God. I believe this was ordained. I feel you and I will live to the end of this.

1916, Katharine Searle, “‘Hatred’”, in Three War Sketches […], Cambridge, Mass.: The Powell Printing Company, →OCLC, page 47:

Well, it is as it is. At the same time, is it not true that something strange is happening, along with the bursting of what we have called the second layer, the repressed layer and its spilling over in acts of violence? Isn’t it so that people are turning to “something else”?

1976 April, James Wyckoff, chapter 8, in Using Pyramid Power!, New York, N.Y.: Zebra Books, published June 1977 (2nd printing), →ISBN, pages 86–87:


trenything is possible

Trenything is possible

2023 March 15, reddit.com, archived from the original on 2025-06-14:

trenything is possible

2023 July 2, u/brigolo_18, reddit.com, archived from the original on 2025-06-14:

"Lifetime natural " ? Guess trenything is possible if you have myostatin deficiency?

2025 June 2, u/Graiybeardosrs, reddit.com, archived from the original on 2025-06-14:

anabolic steroid
anabolic steroid#English

(Internet slang, humorous, derogatory) Used to imply that someone is taking trenbolone or another anabolic steroid to gain muscle.


what is one to do

And so an unsuccessful bookseller writes after his shop is closed on a singularly unsatisfactory day. Books that I have bought keep coming in from the publishers and I do not seem to be selling any at all. No wonder that a desperate bookseller turns to desperate remedies. Oh, well! What is one to do?

[1938], [William Darling], “Destroy the Books”, in The Bankrupt Bookseller Speaks Again, Edinburgh; London: Oliver and Boyd, →OCLC, page 212:

Alex and Shannon, I do so wish I could partake in coffee, but my doctor has hounded me to stop drinking it and so, I am trying to oblige his orders. This herb tea is excellent, but I assure it is no match for a good cup of coffee. Oh, well, what is one to do.

2012, Elizabeth Eagan-Cox, chapter 18, in A Ghost to Die For (Shannon Delaney Paranormal Mystery Series; 5), Cambridge, Md.: Cambridge Books, published February 2013, →ISBN, page 92:

“Ah yes,” Lance replied, “this dreadful war. How long must we endure such hardship? Even tea must now be purchased on ration. Tea of all things, mind you. It is most intolerable. Oh well. What is one to do?”

2015, John Strassel, chapter 74, in Exiled to Eden, Denver, Colo.: Outskirts Press, →ISBN, page 829:


the mixture as before

From the directions of a medical prescription.

the same mixture as before (alternative)

(UK) Used to indicate the same action, situation, or thing etc., as previously.


the same mixture as before

the mixture as before
the mixture as before#English

Alternative form of the mixture as before.


people sit on chairs

(sarcastic, fandom slang) When a common occurrence in media is misbelieved to be a trope.


can is can

[ˈkʰɛn˦ ɪs˨ ˈkʰɛn˦]

variant, Sense 1 before a pause in speech

See can (“fine, acceptable, possible”, Singlish, intransitive).

I packed lots of sleeveless clothes, sunblock, and of course a cap. Slippers? Can is can but Hong Kongers are not usually so sloppy la. People here wear pretty nice shoes, and the youngsters are carrying drawstring bags.

2015 June 25, Skye Soon, “Skye High in Hong Kong: Places”, in skyesoon.com:

How about turning one man’s trash into another man’s treasure? Well, can is can.

2021 January 26, G Tan, “Thought Ambush’s Clothes Peg Earring Was Wild? Here Are 3 More Mind-Blowing Accessories”, in you.co, archived from the original on 2021-04-11:

While something is possible or makes sense in theory, it may not be as straightforward or sensible as initially thought, or may prove to be less successful in practice.

This has helped a lot when it comes to taking on different projects. We try to have a “can is can” attitude, rather than saying no when we’re uncertain or feel intimidated by unfamiliar materials. Instead, we just say, “Let’s do it and see how it goes.”

2023 December 11, Zara Zhuang, quoting Sanchia Tan, “#GraziaGameChangers: Sanchia Tan On How Design, Textiles And Weave Are Intertwined”, in grazia.sg, archived from the original on 2023-12-11:

Used to reassure someone that something is definitely possible or doable, by reinforcing the definitiveness of a previous statement of can.


why is the ocean near the shore

The Chairman of the Power Authority Mr. Flynn, made the remark, "Philosophers are frequently asked, 'Why is it that rivers are always near cities?'" Or, as the Tin Man said, "Why is the ocean near the shore?"

1989, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works. Subcommittee on Water Resources, Transportation, and Infrastructure, Onondaga Lake Restoration Act of 1989: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Water Resources, Transportation, and Infrastructure of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred First Congress, First Session, on S. 27 ... April 27, 1989--Syracuse, NY., U.S. Government Publishing Office, page 36:

rhetorical question
rhetorical question#English

(colloquial, rhetorical question) A rhetorical question in response to a question having an obvious answer.


from an early age

since childhood (This entry is a translation hub.)


do a something

Is your significant other doing you a heckin distress?

2017 August 9, Tasnim Odrika, “How to deal with trust issues in a relationship”, in The Daily Star, Dhaka, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2017-08-13:

When they stick out their tongues, they're doing a mlem, a blep, a blop. They bork. They boof.

2017 December 11, Jessica Boddy (for NPR), "Dogs are Doggos", in What Do You Meme, page 21

Woof woof! I’m the goodest boi! I will do you all a protecc (in exchange for yummy treats and full medical, dental, and vision care).

2018, “The Understew”, in Brain Stew, number 13, Pierre Laclede Honors College:

hey there hope ya dont mind if I do a cronch (I luv the house salad) […] henlo mom / doin a heckin picturesque / the cuter i look / the more treatos i consume

2020, Doing Things Media, Doggos Doing Things: The Hilarious World of Puppos, Borkers, and Other Good Bois, Running Press, →ISBN:


YGBFKM

> >Okay, now I know a couple of Phonetic Alphabet abbreviations, (BZ, CF,
> >FYT, etc.) but I can't figure out YGTBSM. You Got To Be Seriously Mad?
>
> I was confused until you did what you did. Me is the last
> word, and the previous one isn't spitting.
Hmm. Didn't the Wild Weasel test squadron (designation forgotten) use something similar for their squadron patches, except the acronym being YGBFKM? I vaguely remember something like that, but don't trust my memory well enough to make a definitive statement.

[1999 December 26, Nohbody, “Rainbow six movie?”, in alt.books.tom-clancy (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

In any case there should be a YGBFKM (you gotta be fucking kidding me) level PE and the nas saw that and sailed right past it. As for individual estimations on the market they are useless, no worse than useless because they are often self-serving and intentionally misleading. Historical norms merely provide some reasonably objective guidance of how far ahead of itself the market got. Generally an INVESTOR will not care about PE until it reaches the YGBFKM level. I think if you have a good tech stock in mind and want to buy it for the long term then now is as good a time as any. I would no longer put the naz in clearly YGBFKM territory

2001 March 15, MJL, “Capitulation? You must be joking!”, in misc.invest.stocks (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

2002 March 13, Sam Worf, “[TAN] One for the YGBFKM file”, in rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

lol, you carry on a long thread with the trolls troll and then want *me* to apologize for...er...*anything*? YGBFKM.

2002 May 15, Rob Allen, “Since ABWH will be on the box set...”, in alt.music.yes (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

Rated YGBFKM / “A grand historical epic with a romance thrown in. Then someone dies, inspiring cries of ‘You’ve gotta be f****** kidding me!’”

2004 March 11, Jeremy Mathews with Dave Howell and Craig Froehlich, “Red Herring: MPAA [Motion Picture Association of America] Announces New Ratings”, in The Daily Utah Chronicle, Salt Lake City, Ut.: Associated Students of the University of Utah, →OCLC, page R6:

> Yeah, it says that "real" news networks need to quit pushing their agendas.
> Fox has one, CNN has one, Rather has one, O' Reilly has one, etc. The news
> networks are shills. If you want real news, use the various sources on the
> net.
YGBFKM.**
**You Gotta Be Fuckin Kiddin' Me

2004 September 30, DaveNOSPAM, “Jon Stewart rips apart Fox News, Bush and Kerry!!”, in rec.sport.pro-wrestling (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

> Much as a dislike Bush.....I don't actually fault him for this. I
> think finishing the story as quickly as possible and trying to retain
> a sense of calm and normalcy amongst those kids was the right thing to
> do. That day was probably traumatic enough as it is. The president
> bolting out of the door in an emergency w/ no explanations would
> probably have made it even worse for them.
YGBFKM...

2004 October 2, bozak, “ot BUSH IS A FUCKING IDIOT...”, in rec.music.hip-hop (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

first Chet thinks the guy has a secretary, now this bozo has *me* workin' for the guy. YGBFKM.

2005 April 29, rob...@aol.com, “Steven Sullivan”, in alt.music.yes (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

Can you believe for one second that in the days following 9/11, this "let's bring the Taliban back into government" shit would have flown with anyone? The Taliban of all groups? YGBFKM. How is this kind thing any better than if the Demopukes were running things?

2006 October 4, Chris Cathcart, “Republican Majority Leader Caves to Cave Dwelling Taliban”, in humanities.philosophy.objectivism (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

> Lopez said adult stores may be cautious about pushing the issue of what
> constitutes a medical device because the law has strong penalties: Up to
> a year in jail and a $10,000 fine for a first offense. A second offense
> carries a prison sentence of one to 10 years.
YGBFKM!

2007 October 4, Geoff, “God Soaked Court Leaves Ala. Sex Toy Ban Intact”, in alt.atheism (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

I am not making this up. This is an actual posting for an experienced MVS systems programmer. Suitably redacted and approved for all audiences. $23/hr. YGBFKM.

2009 October 17, Pinnacle, “MVS 5+ Yrs Position in Indianapolis, IN”, in bit.listserv.ibm-main (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

> - There are plans to contnue the Beth Phoenix/Vickie Guerrero feud
> through at least June..
>
YGBFKM. *
*(You Gotta Be Fuckin Kiddin Me)

2010 March 30, Jason Todd: Dems Drive Ambulances, Repubs Drive Toyotas, “WWE News: John Cena to Nickelodeon, St. Louis Wants WrestleMania, Guerrero/Phoenix feud”, in rec.sport.pro-wrestling (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

2025 June 16, Ed Morrissey, “YGBFKM: Iran Wants a Do-Over ... With Nukes; UPDATE: Iran FM: Help Us, Obi-Wan Trumpnobi; Netanyahu: Nope”, in Hot Air, Townhall Media, archived from the original on 2025-06-16

you've gotta be
you've gotta be kidding me#English

kidding me
you've gotta be kidding me#English

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Initialism of you've gotta be fucking kidding me.


ygbfkm

> When she stated it was more important to have a good relationship with
> kids than it was to make sure they ate everything, she put me over the
> edge. I normally don't read her posts. I come her to learn about
> cooking and she usually talks about other things. It was a mistake to
> read her again. The flames on my end are over. It gets boring.
>
> Gar
THAT'S IT??!! ygbfkm
and that's the first off topic posting we've seen here? Christ, every post mutates into some drivel about reply no. 59 or so. some of the long time posters are the most guilty. I've seen boulliabaise^([sic]) posts segue into embroidering advice and I've seen cooking board posts denigrate to flame wars. gimme a break!

2000 August 6, Jack Schidt, “Bratwurst”, in rec.food.cooking (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

> Sensors didn't even twinge on this. The new ZRT model of the Polyanna Meter
> has a "you gotta be forking kidding me sensor installed" to ferret out all
> false Polyannaisms. If it makes you feel any better, you can consider yourself
> under surveillance now..
Wow, you're getting this down to a science. I'll have to see if I can catch you off guard sometime to test the ygbfkm sensor. That ZRT model is pretty slick, though.

2002 October 24, darrell gerber, “Fader NG”, in alt.sports.football.pro.denver-broncos (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

> http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/SPORTS03/71005019/1007/SPORTS
>
> Slim Atkins takes over the 4th slot.
ygbfkm

2007 October 6, Geoff, “Price done for the season”, in alt.sports.football.pro.buffalo-bills (Usenet), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

> Obok napisu Pogrupowane są takie dwie małe strzałeczki klikaj aż
> uzyskasz oczekiwany rezultat
>
> Tom
ygbfkm
Dzięki ;-)))

2009 October 4, Kafcjel, “[tb] po aktualizacji”, in alt.pl.mozilla (Usenet; in Polish), archived from the original on 2025-06-25:


you've gotta be kidding me

“Come on, Mike,” [Tim] Kish responded. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. You think he’s that good?”

2020 September 9, Jason Kersey, “‘You think he’s that good?’: How Oklahoma discovered QB Spencer Rattler”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

[T]he documentary was so funny and full of you’ve-gotta-be-kidding-me moments that several audiences assumed it was fiction.

2021 March 25, Ann Hornaday, “Actors in documentaries used to be taboo. Now they’re the stars.”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2021-03-26:

'You know what I have words for? F*** people who are saying that it's, you know, good. It's Hollywood and those stupid Hollywood people. Like, you've gotta be kidding me,' Christina said.

2025 January 14, “Christina Applegate lashes out at twisted trolls who say the LA fires are ’good’”, in Daily Mail, London: DMG Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2025-01-14:

you've got to be kidding me
you've got to be kidding me#English

Alternative form of you've got to be kidding me.


hippity hoppity get off my property

(humorous) Stop trespassing on my property and be quick about it.


CAFAB

@ropeboi the C in cafab stands for "coercively"

2010 August 7, tony (@tonyinabag), Twitter, archived from the original on 2025-06-25:

The question of socialization is one of those topics where we all start debating how many trans people can dance on the head of a pin, and focusing on socialization as if we’re all programmed like little computers while we’re growing up, as if gendered socialization is launched at us like laser-guided missiles and CAFAB children receive only socialization aimed at girls and CAMAB children receive only socialization aimed at boys, and all us trans people are just like cis people who share our CASAB until the day we start transition.

2010 August 30, Lisa Harney, Questioning Transphobia, archived from the original on 2012-05-14:

Many trans people who were coercively assigned female at birth (CAFAB) may look much younger than they are, especially if they are not on hormones, are on a low dose of hormones, or are just starting hormones.

2014, Marie Margaret Keller, Salmacis' alchemical pool: Gender diversity and the transformation of culture, PhD dissertation, order no. 3621743 on ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global:

Take, for instance, the different consequences of gender deviance for those designated or coercively assigned male at birth (DMAB/CAMAB/AMAB) compared to those designated or coercively assigned female at birth (DFAB/CAFAB/AFAB). Developmental psychology has concluded that boys face more repercussions than girls for gender role violations (Kilianski 2003, 38).

2017, Rhea Ashley Hoskin, “Femme Theory: Refocusing the Intersectional Lens”, in Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture & Social Justice, volume 38, number 1, →ISSN:

Regarding the second point, the constructs of sex, gender, and sexual orientation rapidly fall apart when considered concurrently; indeed, a person who was CAFAB or CAMAB (coercively assigned male or female at birth) and who identifies as non-binary already transgresses the dichotomous relationship between sex and gender.

2022, Wei Norton Motulsky, The queers are here: LGBTQ+ young adults’ mental health outcomes in wilderness therapy, PhD thesis, order no. 29398474 on ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global:

(LGBTQ) Acronym of coercively assigned female at birth.


CAMAB

Transmisogyny refers to the unique marginalization faced by transgender women and people interpreted by society to be transgender women--most centrally, CAMAB (coercively assigned male at birth) trans individuals.

2024, Ruben Shimonov, Marielle Tawil, “At the Intersection of Sephardic, Mizrahi, and LGBTQ+: The Story of a Community Emerging out of the Margins”, in Marla Brettschneider, editor, Jewcy: Jewish Queer Lesbian Feminisms for the Twenty-First Century:

(LGBTQ) Acronym of coercively assigned male at birth.


is a bear Catholic

A combination of the two rhetorical questions is the Pope Catholic? and does a bear shit in the woods?. Compare does the Pope shit in the woods?.

Ginny: Do you want me? / Isaac: Yes. I want you very much. You don’t need to ask that. / Ginny: You really want me? / Isaac: Is a bear Catholic? / Ginny: What are you talking about? / Isaac: It’s a variation on the old saw—here’s the whole thing. Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope shit in the woods?

1977, Bill Hotchkiss, “January 1, 1975”, in Fever in the Earth, Newcastle, Calif.: Blue Oak Press, →ISBN, chapter 10 (Numunana Lives in the Inyo), page 234:

ludlow: “‘Rosebud’ in the third race at Pimlico.” (I’m so tired of Russian food, I could eat a horse.) / me: “This little piggy went to market.” (Before I left home, I went by the Piggly Wiggly supermarket and picked up a couple of cans of pork and beans for the trip. Want some?) / ludlow: “Is a bear Catholic?” (In the name of God, yes.)

1989, Lewis Grizzard, “The Russians Out in the Code”, in Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night, New York, N.Y.: Villard Books, →ISBN, chapter 12 (International Relations), page 168:

“Take on final supplies. Stock up. Top off the fuel tanks, the water tanks, and stock the food lockers—” / “And la cerveza locker, sí, Juan?” Ireland laughed. / “Is a bear Catholic, Rámon? The cerveza locker? The cerveza locker? This ain’t gonna be an easy trip, not easy, no, but we’re going to be living good.” John raised a beer and we touched cans.

1993, Robert Mason, chapter 12, in Chickenhawk: Back in the World: Life After Vietnam, New York, N.Y.: Viking, →ISBN, part 2 (The Scam), page 106:

Rhetorical question
rhetorical question#English

(idiomatic, humorous) Obviously! Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic yes.


is the bear Catholic

10:00 pm — IS PARIS BURNING? Is the Bear Catholic? Does a pope shit in the woods?

1971 November 18, “Space In”, in Space City!, volume III, number 24, Houston, Tex.: Lyman Padde Educational Project, →OCLC, page 28, column 4:

“Look, you want to pay for a drink from these suckers, or run up to my room for a shot of Jack Daniel’s?” / “Is the bear Catholic?” / When Nordgren poured them each a second drink, they agreed wholeheartedly that there was no point in returning to the ordeal of the meet-the-pros party.

1983, Karl Edward Wagner, “Neither Brute Nor Human”, in Why Not You and I?, New York, N.Y.: Tom Doherty Associates, published September 1987, →ISBN, page 102:

He [Richard Pryor] suggests we seal our bond further and tell our worst secrets. “Do you have one, Jenny?” / “Is the bear Catholic?” / I sure do have one, and it’s given me almost a solid year of sleepless nights and has me sweating bullets of shame.

1991, Jennifer Lee, “[1978] February”, in Tarnished Angel: Surviving in the Dark Curve of Drugs, Violence, Sex, and Fame: A Memoir, New York, N.Y.: Thunder's Mouth Press, →ISBN, page 132:

“So, I tell Tim you want the tickets then?” / “Is the bear Catholic?” replied Torquil.

1996, Linda Jaivin, Rock ’n’ Roll Babes from Outer Space, New York, N.Y.: Broadway Books, published 1998, →ISBN, page 138:

is a bear Catholic
is a bear Catholic#English


all cows eat grass

Coordinate term: good boys deserve fudge always

(music) A mnemonic for the notes found on the spaces of the bass clef staff: A, C, E, G.


good boys deserve fudge always

Coordinate term: all cows eat grass

(music) A mnemonic for the notes found on the lines of the bass clef staff: G, B, D, F, A.


Christmas come early

Referring to the imaginary situation of Christmas occurring before the usual date, and thus one enjoying the festivities and receiving Christmas presents early.

It is true, Ma? Is it true? A Thanksgiving basket? […] It's like Christmas come early! [She joins her sisters at the table. All three sisters sit, stare hungrily at the basket]

1982, Tim Kelly, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch: Or, A Page from the Book of Life […], Schulenburg, Tex.: I. E. Clark Publications, →ISBN, Act I, page 20:

It is Christmas come early, unfortunately for Members of Congress, unfortunately for those who are willing to sell out their vote for their districts, for something in their districts. It might be Christmas come early for those Members of Congress, but it is not Christmas for the American people.

1993 November 16, Sherrod Brown, “Opposition to NAFTA”, in Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 103d Congress, First Session (United States House of Representatives), volume 139, part 10, Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 29312, column 3:

"If this gets any better," Sangster confessed, "I won't be able to stand it." October, so far, had been Christmas come early for the engineers.

1996, Ivan Doig, Bucking the Sun, New York, N.Y.: Scribner, published 2003, →ISBN, page 122:

Sultry songbird Deborah Cox says Christmas came early for her this year and all of her wishes have already come true. The talented songstress is riding the charts with her second hit album, One Wish with the smash ballad Nobody's Supposed To Be Here.

1998 December 28 – 1999 January 4, “Christmas Comes Early for Hit Singer Deborah Cox”, in Robert E[dward] Johnson, editor, Jet, volume 95, number 5, Chicago, Ill.: Johnson Publishing Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 55:

Christmas come early, that sounds like to me.

2003, Ivan Doig, Prairie Nocturne, New York, N.Y.: Scribner, →ISBN, page 188:

So to be in Peter Jackson's house, just a couple of weeks before shooting was scheduled to begin, sharing dinner and conversation with Ian McKellen, well, that was like Christmas coming early for me.

2004, Sean Astin, with Joe Layden, chapter 9, in There and Back Again: An Actor’s Tale, New York, N.Y.: St. Martin’s Press, →ISBN, page 169:

Christmas came early this year when our PX rations arrived in November. This is one day every soldier overseas looks forward to.

2007, Robert Lynch, “Italian Mountain Campaign”, in A Letter Marked Free: A Powerful and Gripping Account of a Combat Soldier in WWII, Indianapolis, Ind.: Dog Ear Publishing, →ISBN, page 51:

Then he [Viserys I Targaryen] turns to Rhaenys, who, he reasonably argues, is the best authority on what her husband would want. And Christmas comes early for Rhaenyra, because not only has her dad come out to support her family, but her aunt also backs Luke [Lucerys Velaryon]'s claim—and accepts her niece’s offer of a Targaryen-Velaryon double wedding.

2022 October 10, Jenna Scherer, “House of the Dragon Drops Its Best Episode Yet”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2025-06-19:

(chiefly Ireland, UK, idiomatic) Something very delightful or fortunate is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

joulu tuli etuajassa

something very delightful or fortunate is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected

think all one's Christmases have come at once


Christmas coming early

/ˌkɹɪsməs ˌkʌmɪŋ ˈɜːli/

/ˌkɹɪsməs ˌkʌmɪŋ ˈɜɹli/

Christmas come early
Christmas come early#English

Alternative form of Christmas come early.


does the bear shit in the woods

Do I think this story’s worth my time? Does the bear shit in the woods? Do birdies sing in the morning? Trotman, what the fuck are you asking me dumb questions for?

1976 April, Nathan Hollander [pseudonym; Marc Olden], chapter 1, in The Harker File, New York, N.Y.: Lynx Books, published January 1989, →ISBN, page 7:

“[…] You think you can send us over some food?” Rainey laughed, talking past the phone. / “Does the bear shit in the woods?” / “O.k. We want one order of ribs—”

1980, Ernie Brill, “A Slap in the Face”, in I Looked Over Jordan; and Other Stories, Boston, Mass.: South End Press, →ISBN, page 237:

“Want to go after it, Sarge?” / “Does the bear shit in the woods? Tell ’em ‘Well done’ and I’ll be along in a few minutes.”

1987, Jerry E[ugene] Pournelle, Roland Green, “Part Six: Church and State”, in Janissaries III: Storms of Victory, New York, N.Y.: Ace Science Fiction Books, →ISBN, chapter 2, page 312:

does a bear shit in the woods
does a bear shit in the woods#English

Alternative form of does a bear shit in the woods.


old man yells at clouds

head

old man yells at clouds (plural old men yell at clouds)

2023 January 2, Robert Goulder, “Old Man Yells at Clouds and Other Responses to the UTPR”, in Tax Notes Today International, Tax Analysts, archived from the original on 2023-01-09

Yes, I’m veering closely into “old man yells at clouds” territory, though that’s the point. The joy of that old-school unlock process isn’t some relic amplified by the allure of nostalgia.

2023 April 12, Matthew Byrd, “Resident Evil 4’s Microtransactions Ruin One of the Remake’s Best Features”, in Den of Geek, archived from the original on 2023-04-12:

Somewhere in all the discourse about how the candidates looked and sounded—“old men yell at clouds” comes to mind—we forgot to examine the substance of their words.

2024 July 2, Adriana E. Ramírez, “The search for substance in this year’s election”, in John Robinson Block, editor, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, volume 97, number 336, Pittsburgh, Pa., →ISSN, →OCLC, page A-14, column 3:

You want an Old Man Yells at Clouds Hot Take? That’s it. There are going to be millions of young men driving off the financial cliff because of sports betting.

2024 November 17, Mike McFeely, “Sports gambling at our fingertips? Bet it goes bad”, in The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, Fargo, N.D., →ISSN, →OCLC, page A5, column 2:

Despite the old-man-yells-at-clouds aspect to this piece so far, its eventual intent is actually to offer a little bit of hope.

2025 April 23, Patrick Higgins, “The Replacements”, in Anthony Mariani, editor, Fort Worth Weekly, volume 20, number 52, Fort Worth, Tex., →OCLC, archived from the original on 2025-04-24, page 21, column 3:

Author and music YouTuber Rick Beato occasionally rants against the low quality of modern popular music and these are entertaining in an old man yells at clouds kind of way.

2025 May 21, Scott Barlow, “Market Factors: Dividend increases and mediocre profit growth ahead as bank earnings reporting begins”, in The Globe and Mail, archived from the original on 2025-05-21:

old man yells at cloud
old man yells at cloud#English

Alternative form of old man yells at cloud.


as the next person

as the next guy (alternative)
as the next girl (alternative)

I like reading as much as the next person.

I'm as friendly as the next person.

(idiomatic) To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical person.