Wait 'til next year
September 2, 2009
Wait 'til next year/ phrase/ The annual lament of Cubs fans when it becomes clear the current season will not end with a World Series title. The verbal white flag can signal a fan's eternal optimism, frustrated resignation, unbridled anger, sarcastic nature or general hopelessness. Can also be used as a cruel barb by Sox fans. Heartbroken fans of the Brooklyn Dodgers leaned heavily on the phrase in the 1940s and early 50s, until "Dem Bums" finally beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series. The sad phrase now belongs to Cubs fans. (e.g. In 2006, HBO produced a special called "Wait 'til Next Year: The Saga of the Chicago Cubs.")