Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Above, the header from the February 18, 1924 New York (NY) Morning Telegraph newspaper column of John J. Fitz Gerald. Click to see a portion of the column which includes his use of "Big…
Most people want to go to the top of the class, but academically, not literally. Of course, there's a joke. "funnyoneliners: First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight…
https://x.com/AwakenTFallen/status/2075939066609033695">X/Twitter 🐦⬛Awaken the fallen🐦⬛ @AwakenTFallen Grand rising REDRUM 🌞 🐦⬛ ("The ONLY people who stay…
"America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984" is a saying that has been printed on several images. “1984” refers to George Orwell’s novel, 1984, that depicts a big,…
"The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that your example (your actions) is more important that your…
Zohran Mamdani became New York City's first Muslim mayor when he took office in 2026. Conservative political commentator Mark Steyn wrote the article "Big Apple, Big Allah" on…
A 1909 citation by Harper's editor Edward Sandford Martin (1856-1939) is often given as the first citation of "the Big Apple" to mean New York City. It probably shouldn't be…
The moniker of "Land of the Big Red Apple" (for apple-growing regions) and the saying of "Big apples are top of the barrel/tree" were very popular in the 1900s and 1910s. Peter…
Extreme heat can feel like a brutal slap in the face -- "like I owed it money," as many people have said. "when i step outside the heat slapped me in the face like i stole…
On July 1, 2026, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City and displayed a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of…
On July 1, 2026, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City and displayed a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of…
Restaurants often put some items, such as seafood, as "market price" (abbreviated "MKT"). That menu item is usually very expensive. "You know a restaurant expensive when a…
Restaurants often put some items, such as seafood, as "market price" (abbreviated "MKT"). That menu item is usually very expensive. "You know a restaurant expensive when a…
"You know it’s hot when you go outside and it’s hot" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The joke is that there is no joke. "You know it's hot, when…
On July 1, 2026, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City and displayed a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of…
Restaurants often put some items, such as seafood, as "market price" (abbreviated "MKT"). That menu item is usually very expensive. "You know a restaurant expensive when a…
Americans watching World Cup soccer are often confused by offsides rules. "You’re exaggerating; it’s at least 90% of the US doesn’t know how offsides works" was posted on X/Twitter…
An "ingrown hair" is not the same as an "inn-grown hare," but there are jokes. "Question: If hotels serve rabbits they raise themselves, can any disease result? Answer:…
An "ingrown hair" is not the same as an "inn-grown hare," but there are jokes. "Question: If hotels serve rabbits they raise themselves, can any disease result? Answer:…
An "ingrown hair" is not the same as an "inn-grown hare," but there are jokes. "Question: If hotels serve rabbits they raise themselves, can any disease result? Answer:…