Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"Unattended children will be given an espresso and a puppy" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many signs. “Unattended children will be given two shots of espresso and a free…
The mathematical term "f(x)" sounds like the word "effects." A joke was posted on Reddit -- Dadjokes on March 17, 2019: "I watched a movie about graphs last night, but I…
"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn" is a seasonal saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is from an editorial in the New York (NY) Times on April 29,…
An "Irish grape" is a "potato," according to some slang. "We han meighl, and potatoes, too. My feyther use't to co' 'em Irish grapes" was printed in the…
"i dont know about you but i am tripping balls over the fact that oranges are pre-sliced by nature!" was posted on Twitter by Ray Edwards on March 30, 2011. "Oranges are pre-sliced…
"My dad was a workaholic. Every time someone mentioned work, he got drunk" is a joke that has been printed on many images. The word "workaholic" is not an exact portmanteau of…
"i dont know about you but i am tripping balls over the fact that oranges are pre-sliced by nature!" was posted on Twitter by Ray Edwards on March 30, 2011. "Oranges are pre-sliced…
Some seats on buses and trains -- usually those near the exits -- are suggested for the elderly and disabled. A joke was posted on Twitter by Sickipedia Official on June 2, 2013: "Saw a sign…
Pico de gallo usually contains chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, serrano peppers, salt and lime juice. Guacamole usually contains the same ingredients, plus avocado. "If I put avocado in pico…
It's a popular meme that police can frequently be seen at donut shops. The donuts they eat are not marijuana donuts, but there are jokes. "The police say they burn the marijuana they…
"Buy now -- pay later" is a popular sales tactic. "It's amazing how fast later comes when you buy now!" is a saying that has been printed on many images. Origin of the…
"May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out" is an Irish toast/blessing that has been printed in many images. Authorship is unknown.…
"Amateurs teach amateurs to be amateurs" is a saying about a lack of professionalism. American film and theatre actor Charles Coburn (1877-1961) worried that actors were being taught by…
The Hudson Yards real estate development is on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, and was built on a platform over the West Side Yard for Long Island Rail Road trains. When it opened to the public…
Chicago (IL) Tribune columnist Mary Schmich wrote a speech to graduates in her column on June 1, 1997. One piece of advice was: "Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.…
"What's the point in calling vegetarian meatballs meatballs..." was posted on Twitter by "M" on February 26, 2012. Why call it a "meatball" is it doesn't…
Granville, New York, has many slate quarries, and the area has been called "Slate Valley." Granville has been nicknamed the "Colored Slate Capital of the World" and the…
The city of Utica, New York, was promoted as the "Handshake City" by the Utica Chamber of Commerce in November 1970. The city wanted to show the world its friendliness. In 1974, a person…
The Hudson Yards real estate development is on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, and was built on a platform over the West Side Yard for Long Island Rail Road trains. When it opened to the public…
"What's come over you?" is an expression not to be taken literally, but there are jokes. This was posted on the newsgroup rec.humor on March 23, 1994: Patient: Doctor doctor, I feel…