Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Many people cut the ends off of a loaf of bread. "How do you share a loaf of bread with many people?Cut off both ends and it becomes endless bread" was posted on Twitter by Nicholas johan…
"When writing the story of your life, don’t let someone else hold the pen" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many images. "I like this RT @MidnightViews: When…
"I was drinking at the bar, so I took a bus home. That may not be a big deal to you, but I’ve never driven a bus before" is a joke that has been printed on many images. The joke is that…
Hot Pockets (an American brand of microwaveable turnovers and a pocket burrito) have been compared to calzones. "Meatball and mozzarella Hot Pockets: the poor man's calzone.…
The word "dumpling" inspires some people to invent the world "dumple." "Is having dumplings with dumple" was posted on Twitter by Teddÿ Cee on September 15, 2008.…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Other Toronto nicknames include "Big Smoke," "Broadway North," "Centre of the Universe," "Hogtown," "Hollywood North,"…
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)boot-legger, n.Etymology: -- boot-leg n. + -er suffix1. Compare boot-leg n. 2.One who carries liquor in his boot-legs; (hence) an illicit trader…
"I consider sex a misdemeanor. The more I miss, de meaner I get" (or "Sex is a misdemeanor. De more I miss de meaner I get") is a jocular saying that has been printed on many…
The hippocampus (a major component of the brain of humans and other vertebrates) doesn't contain a hippopotamus, but there are jokes. "And where do hippos go for advanced education? Where…
The Dodge Brothers brand of automobiles began in 1914. Almost immediately, a popular joke was told that it was the only car that didn't need a horn -- because it says "Dodge" on the…
A "bread knife" cuts bread; the knife is not made of bread, but there are jokes. This was posted on Reddit -- 3amjokes on July 19, 2019: "I recently bought a bread knife. It's…
"Reintarnation" is a portmanteau word from "reincarnation" and "tarnation." There are several cowboy jokes that use the term. "When a cowboy dies and is…
"Ants on a log, floating down the river (to the waterfall), and each ant thinking he was steering" is an old political saying/metaphor. This was printed in The Daily Gazette (Lawrence,…
"No way, José" is a rhyming phrase meaning that there is no way, or that something is not happening or is impossible. The origin is unknown, so it's not known if there was…
"Home sweet home office" is a work saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is based on the song "Home Sweet Home" that John Howard Payne (1791-1852) wrote for…
"Sprinkles are for cupcakes, not (for) toilet seats" (or "Sprinkles are for cupcakes, not toilets") is a saying that has been printed on many images. The sign instructs people…
"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is from American entrepreneur, author and…
"Home sweet office" is a work saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is based on the song "Home Sweet Home" that John Howard Payne (1791-1852) wrote for the…
"Office sweet office" is a work saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is based on the song "Home Sweet Home" that John Howard Payne (1791-1852) wrote for the…
"Sprinkles are for cupcakes, not (for) toilet seats" (or "Sprinkles are for cupcakes, not toilets") is a saying that has been printed on many images. The sign instructs people…