Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"A TV can insult your intelligence, but nothing rubs it in like a computer" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is from the Frank and Ernest comic strip,…
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) introduced the term "moom picher/pitcher/picture" for "motion/moving picture." This was, supposedly, the New York City…
"No sheet, Sherlock!" is a pun on the old joke, "No shit, Sherlock!" "There aren't any sheets on the bed"/"Well no sheet Sherlock" was posted on Twitter…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A joke involving an Oxford comma is: "Jeff, a semicolon, and an Oxford comma walk into…
"Crosswords" should not be confused with "cross words." A joke was posted on Twitter by Pun of the Day on August 31, 2011: "Wordless Wednesday. Don't disturb anyone…
"Étouffée" is French for "smothered." "Crawfish Étouffée" (smothered crawfish) is a popular dish in Louisiana, especially in Breaux Bridge, the "Crawfish…
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)revusical, adj. and n.Origin: Formed within English, by blending. Etymons: revue n., musical adj.Etymology: Blend of revue n. and musical adj.,…
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) introduced the term "Boloney Boulevard" in Life magazine on September 28, 1928, in an article titled "Along the Main…
A "Broadwayite" is someone who works on Broadway or who goes to Broadway shows. The term "Broadwayite" has been cited in print since at least 1863, but New York City's…
A "Broadwayite" is someone who works on Broadway or who goes to Broadway shows. The term "Broadwayite" has been cited in print since at least 1863, but New York City's…
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) introduced the term "main stem femme" in Life magazine on June 4, 1928, in an article titled "Along the Main Stem."…
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) introduced the term "main stem femme" in Life magazine on June 4, 1928, in an article titled "Along the Main Stem."…
“Maple syrup is tree blood” is a saying from at least the 1990s and 2000s. "If maple syrup is tree blood, can vegans and vegetarians eat it?" is a jocular saying that has been printed…
"Maple syrup is tree blood" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "And we all know that the maple syrup is actually TREE BLOOD!" was posted on the newsgroup…
A "Broadwayite" is someone who works on Broadway or who goes to Broadway shows. The term "Broadwayite" has been cited in print since at least 1863, but New York City's…
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) introduced the term "main stem femme" in Life magazine on June 4, 1928, in an article titled "Along the Main Stem."…
"Calas" (often said in this plural) are Creole fried cakes, usually made of rice. The name is thought to be from the African word kala (stalk of cereal). "Belle Calas! Tout chauds!…
"Calas" (often said in this plural) are Creole fried cakes, usually made of rice. The name is thought to be from the African word kala (stalk of cereal). "Belle Calas! Tout chauds!…
"Vain Stem" (vain + Main Stem) was a nickname for Broadway in Manhattan that was used in the 1930s and 1940s. "The newest name for B'way, 'The Vain Stem,'"…
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) wrote in a column on September 24, 1948: “Many midtown side streets have their own 'personality.' Take 56th between 6th and…