Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"I saw a sign: 'Rest Area 25 Miles.' That's pretty big. Some people must be really tired" is a joke about driving down a highway. The rest area is coming up in 25 miles; it…
"Pardon the weeds. I'm feeding the bees" (or "Pardon the weeds. We are feeding the bees") is a jocular lawn sign that has been printed in many images. Putting away the…
"Pardon the weeds. I'm feeding the bees" (or "Pardon the weeds. We are feeding the bees") is a jocular lawn sign that has been printed in many images. Putting away the…
Wegmans Food Markets have lots of fans, called "Wegmaniacs" (Wegmans + maniac). The term is most frequently used at the opening of new Wegmans stores, although the company has stated that…
"Gyro" (a Greek food) and "gyroscope" a measuring device) are not the same thing and are usually not pronounced the same, but there are jokes. "New iPhone 4 adds a…
"Gyro" (a Greek food) and "gyroscope" a measuring device) are not the same thing and are usually not pronounced the same, but there are jokes. "New iPhone 4 adds a…
"Flapper Pie" is named after the 1920s flappers. It is a Graham cracker vanilla custard pie topped with meringue. The origin of flapper pie is uncertain, but a recipe from Mrs. Thomas…
The New York (NY) Times newspaper is sometimes accused of printing articles favorable to the Central Intelligence Agency. Some Times critics have nicknamed the newspaper the "Langley…
An entertainment is sometimes said to be "a barrel of laughs" (to have a lot of laughs) or "a barrel of fun" (to have a lot of fun). The "barrel" term was popular in…
An entertainment is sometimes said to be "a barrel of laughs" (to have a lot of laughs) or "a barrel of fun" (to have a lot of fun). The "barrel" term was popular in…
"That wasn't very cash money" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that something is not "cool" ("cash money" is cold, hard cash).…
An entertainment is sometimes said to be "a barrel of laughs" (to have a lot of laughs) or "a barrel of fun" (to have a lot of fun). The "barrel" term was popular in…
"Coomiefornia" or "Commie-fornia" (communist + California) is a term that has been used by those who believe that the state of California is a socialist paradise (for better or…
An entertainment is sometimes said to be "a barrel of laughs" (to have a lot of laughs) or "a barrel of fun" (to have a lot of fun). The "barrel" term was popular in…
"Today's Soup: Whiskey with ice croutons" is a jocular drinking saying that has been printed on many images. "For dinner tonight, I think I'll have some cold whiskey soup…
The base ball "fan" (sports enthusiast) has been cited in print from Kansas City, Missouri, in May 1885. "Fansville" is the name of a fictional town where fans live and support…
Baseball is sometimes used in chemistry jokes. "If Al Kaline played baseball, who played acidball?" was posted on the newsgroup alt.humor.puns on December 5, 1996. "If a baseball…
The term "coincidence theorist" is sometimes used in contrast to a "conspiracy theorist." Either something was planned and it's a conspiracy, or it's all just a…
France initially did not support the United Stated-initiated the 2003 invasion of Iraq. As a result, some U.S. establishments renamed french fries as "freedom fries" and french toast as…
France initially did not support the United Stated-initiated the 2003 invasion of Iraq. As a result, some U.S. establishments renamed french fries as "freedom fries" and french toast as…