The Roach Lives On
Cockroaches are the oldest extant winged insects, having traced back
over 350 million years. They have endured the vicissitudes of weather,
natural disasters, and planned liquidation. They reside comfortably in 
caves in South America, in transcontinental airplanes, on mountain tops,
in Park Avenue edifies, and in television sets. The climate may be sultry
and frigid, but roaches persevere. In words of one writer, "the miraculous
survival of roaches is explained by its inherent adaptability." In fact, one
trenchant analysis made the point that any forthcoming nuclear war will be 
won by roaches, not Russians, not Chinese, and not Americans.

tongue in cheek--Speaking with his tongue in his cheek, the parsimonious
employer promised to double everyone's wages.
(insincerely.)