Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Celery is frequently eaten with ranch dressing or peanut butter -- two very different foods. "Wonders if the sole purpose of celery is to be used as a spoon for ranch dressing/dip/peanut…
The expression "for good measure" usually doesn't involve actual measuring, but there are jokes. "I needed to buy a new ruler and they were 2 for 50p. I bought an extra one for…
Most ovens come with a timer. "There's a button on my oven that says 'Stop Time.' I don't think I should have that much power over the universe" was posted on Twitter…
"Kalmi" kebab sounds a little like "call me." There have been puns with the Carly Rae Jepsen song "Call Me Maybe." "Half-cooked kebab - kalmi maybe" was…
A piglet riddle is: Q: Why did the piglets do badly in school?A: They were all slow loiners. The "loiners"/"learners" pun was posted on Twitter on December 14, 2009.…
"Philanthropissed" (philanthropist + pissed) is a jocular portmanteau word that has had several defintions. "That well known philanthropissed the Jersey Jagsfan" was posted on…
"Wednesday is like small Friday" is a saying that has been printed on an image. "The Wednesday is a small Friday" was posted on the newsgroup soc.penpals on December 8, 1997.…
"Everyday is a great day to curl up with a really good book and then completely ignore it because, ya know, the Internet" is a saying that has been printed on several images. "Sunday…
"Four boxes govern the world -- the cartridge box, the jury box, the ballot box, and the band box" is a saying that was very popular in the 19th century. (A band box holds articles of…
An algebra riddle has been printed on many images: Q: Why didn't the Romans find algebra very difficult?A: Because X was always 10. "The Romans didn't find algebra very challenging,…
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger" is from The Fellowship of the Ring (1954) by J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973). There have been many jocular…
The expression "cup of tea" (or "not my cup of tea") means a preference. "Idioms are not my cup of tea" was posted on Twitter by Jenny Wade on March 27, 2012.…
Cab Calloway (1907-1994) was an American jazz singer and bandleader. He published a "Hepster's Dictionary" in 1938, with another edition in 1944. The dictionary contained much Harlem…
A dog riddle is: Q: Why didn't the dog want to play football?A: It was a boxer. The "boxer" pun has been cited in print since at least 2001. Wikipedia: Boxer (dog)The Boxer is a…
What's the fastest way to transfer money? "Electronic Banking is a fast way to transfer money. Marriage is an even faster way" was posted on Twitter on April 17, 2009. "2nd…
"Grater" sounds like the word "greater." A joke was posted on Twitter on June 13, 2012: "My wife was preparing lunch today when she asked, 'Where's the cheese…
A hen riddle is: Q: How do hens encourage their football teams?A: They egg them on. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2001. 20 May 2001, Sunday Telegraph (Surry Hills, New South…
The expression "cup of tea" (or "not my cup of tea") means a preference. "Idioms are not my cup of tea" was posted on Twitter by Jenny Wade on March 27, 2012.…
"Chili con carnage" (chili con carne + carnage) is a jocular portmanteau term. "A lorry carrying spicy beef collided with a lorry carrying rice. It caused chilli con carnage"…
An ant riddle is: Q: What kind of ant is good at math?A: An accountant. The "account-ant"/"accountant" joke has been cited in print since at least 2001. 6 May 2001, Sunday…