Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Television's Late Show with David Letterman (1993-2015) was based in New York City, and there were many New York City jokes. David Letterman told this joke in July 1994: "It was so hot in…
A joke about the heat in New York City was posted on Twitter by Mark Agee on August 13, 2016: "It's so hot in New York that I saw two people give each other personal space."…
The term "Gay Greenwich Village" and the name "Gay Street" have both contributed to the understanding -- or misunderstanding -- of the word "gay." GAY GREENWICH…
Paris is often called "Gay Paree," with "gay" meaning happy, joyful and lively. The musical Can-Can (1953), with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, included the song "Who…
"Your mother wears army boots/shoes!" (or "Your mother wears combat boots!") is a mild insult that was popular in the 1950s among teenagers, but is now historical or used for…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Other Toronto nicknames include "Big Smoke," "Broadway North," "Centre of the Universe," "Hogtown," "Hollywood North,"…
The food terms "bread" and "cheddar" and "cheese" are also slang terms meaning "money." There are several jokes. "Bread is money. Money is Gouda.…
"The best time to exercise (work out) is whenever you can" is basic advice. "What's the best time to exercise? The best time is whenever you can find the time" we printed…
“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’” is a popular saying about teamwork, first cited in 1960. "There's no 'I' in team, but there are two in schizophrenia" is a jocular…
"I've got a pen that can write underwater. And lots of other words" is a joke that was posted on Twitter by Miles Watts on September 19, 2014. "I just got a pen that can write…
"The best time to exercise (work out) is whenever you can" is basic advice. "What's the best time to exercise? The best time is whenever you can find the time" we printed…
"Kitchens and baths/bathrooms sell houses" is a popular real estate adage of unknown authorship. Kitchens and baths have a lot of features to them, and updated equipment helps to sell a…
"Come on up and I'll show you my etchings" is an old veiled language joke that has been printed on many images. The speaker (usually a man) wants to lure a person (usually a woman)…
"ASAP" usually stands for "As Soon As Possible." "ASAP -- Always Stop And Pray" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying has been used in many…
"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A vulture version has been cited in print since at least 1999: Q: Why…
"Why did the chicken cross the road?"/"To get to the other side" is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A vulture version has been cited in print since at least 1999: Q: Why…
"The (best) time to buy an antique is when you see it" is a popular adage in the antiques business. If the prospective buyer waits, the item may be gone and it might not be possible to…
"LGBTQ" (or LGBT) are too many confusing letters for some people, who add the first six letters on the left side of a keyboard ("QWERTY") to it, forming "LGBTQWERTY."…
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. Other Toronto nicknames include "Big Smoke," "Broadway North," "Centre of the Universe," "Hogtown," "Hollywood North,"…