Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Uncle Ben's is a brand name for rice products. Aunt Jemima is a brand name for pancake mixes and syrups. People sometimes joke that Uncle Ben and Aunt Jemima are married, and this has been…
A fishmonger riddle is: Q: Why is a fishmonger never generous?A: Because his business is sell-fish. The "sell-fish"/"selfish" pun has been cited in print since at least 1879.…
Are step-ladders like step-fathers? "I have a step ladder. I never knew my real ladder" is a popular joke of uncertain origin. "It's not my REAL ladder. It's my…
The term "to hold one's liquor" doesn't refer to physical holding in one's hands, but there are jokes. "Just read about a guy who lost his hands in a terrible accident…
Many people burn toast on a low setting, and then wonder why there are higher settings. "Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp which no decent human…
There was a solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. A joke was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on August 24, 2017: "This past week I made a couple bucks selling fake eclipse glasses. I'm not to…
Many people put gum underneath school tables -- to the disgust of others who find it. A joke was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on August 25, 2017: "I hate chewing gum underneath school tables. I…
Many people put gum underneath school tables -- to the disgust of others who find it. A joke was posted on Reddit -- Jokes on August 25, 2017: "I hate chewing gum underneath school tables. I…
Jokes about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City's World Trade Center are numerous, although not always politically correct. One joke/saying is: "I haven't seen…
"Coffee is bean water" is an observation that was posted on Twitter on October 27, 2009. "Coffee is just bean water" was posted on Twitter on July 13, 2010. "When you think…
Stand-up comedian Adele Cliff told this joke at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe: “As a vegan, I think people who sell meat are disgusting, but apparently people who sell fruit and veg are…
Paper money is "cold hard cash." A credit/debit card is "hold card cash." The line was posted on Reddit -- Shower Thoughts on AUgust 23, 2017: "paper money: **cold hard…
Are food trucks really mobile vending machines? "And instead of food trucks, we refer to them as mobile vending machines?" was posted on Twitter on December 20, 2016. "If self…
Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars movie franchise. "Only one cannoli" is a food take-off on the name that has been cited in print since at least…
"Well then in essence, every beverage is something-flavored water" is a saying that was posted on Twitter on January 27, 2012. "Every beverage is just flavored water" was posted…
People have noticed that orange juice is yellow and carrot juice is orange. "Carrot juice is juice, and it is orange, but it is not orange juice" was posted on Twitter on May 28, 2009.…
"Caffeine is the new black" is a saying that has been printed on many images -- especially coffee mugs. Black coffee contains caffeine. "HEY YOU!! sleep is over-rated!! Caffeine is…
"Participation trophy" is sometimes written -- often in jest -- as "precipitation trophy." "What does a weatherman win when he correctly predicts the weather? A…
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a civil rights organization that some conservatives and libertarians have called a far-left extremist group. The SPLC nickname "Soviet Poverty Lie…
"With great power comes great responsibility" is a saying that was popularized by the Spider-Man series of comic books. "With great power comes great electricity bill" is a…