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truthiness (paid)

  • Dave Wilton

Dave Wilton

14 Mar 2025 • 3 min read
Still image of Stephen Colbert sitting behind a desk with a Chyron that reads, “The Wørd: Truthiness”

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Man doffing his coat as if to fight; a newspaper telling of German atrocities at his feet; caption: “Tell it to the marines”

tell that to the marines

9 February 2026 The origin of the phrase tell that to the marines is exactly what you might think it to be, an expression originally used by sailors that implies their shipmates in the marines are gullible. The earliest example of the phrase that I’m aware of is in
09 Feb 2026 2 min read
Engraving of 8 bearded men, all but one wearing hats, gathered in a circle, talking
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ring / ringleader (paid)

09 Feb 2026 2 min read
Cartoon by Alex Graham of a flying saucer and two aliens addressing a horse, saying, “Kindly take us to your President!”

take me to your leader

6 February 2026 The phrase take me to your leader is a science fiction cliché, so much so that in the 2007 “Voyage of the Damned” Christmas episode of Doctor Who the time-traveling, title character said, “Take me to your leader! I’ve always wanted to say that!” (Another phrase
06 Feb 2026 3 min read
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