Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"The only time a woman is helpless is when her nail polish is drying. Other than that, watch out" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "The only time a woman is helpless…
"If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" is a famous line from the song "New York, New York" (1977), composed by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb. When North…
People call in sick -- but from the parking lot of the job? "I'm not above calling in sick from the parking lot" is a work saying that been printed on several images. "I feel…
"I can't turn water into wine, but I can turn pizza into breakfast" is a jocular pizza saying that has been printed on several images. "I may not be able to turn water into…
A hotel joke has a man call up the hotel manager. "Help! My wife wants to jump out of your hotel window!" the husband says. "That's a personal problem," the hotel manager…
The Yamaha Corporation is the world's largest piano manufacturing company. A joke on the Yamaha name -- haha -- is: Q: What do you call a laughing piano?A: A Yamahahahahaha. The…
What's a good housewarming gift? A space heater literally is a "house-warming" gift. "A space heater is the ultimate housewarming gift" was posted on Twitter on September…
"Second acting" (or "second-acting") a Broadway show is to wait for intermission, go in the theater with the crowd, sit in an empty seat and see the second act for free. A…
"Coffee -- because bad mornings deserve a second chance" is a coffee saying that has been printed on many images. "Bad mornings deserve good coffee" was posted on Twitter on…
"The muffin joke" -- as the famous joke is called -- is really an anti-joke: "Two muffins are sitting in an oven. One muffin says, 'Boy, it sure is hot in here.' The other…
"In life, you are either a passenger of a pilot. It's your choice" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was posted on Twitter on February 20,…
A marshmallow -- especially a toasted marshmallow -- is not sharp. "I'm as sharp as a marshmallow tonight" was cited in print in 1946. "Like I said, he's about as sharp as…
"A bicycle is just an acoustic motorcycle" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on several images. "How many other guys here ride a bike?"/"I ride an acoustic…
"Bacon" sounds like "bakin'." A riddle on the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich (BLT) is: Q: When does a sandwich cook?A: When it's bakin' lettuce and tomato.…
The number π ("pi") is a mathematical constant, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The first digits are 3.14159. "I know every digit of pi in base 10!…
People often talk about how tired they are, but how do they have the energy? "Coffee gives me that extra boost I need to begin a full day of talking about how tired I am" was posted on…
"I can't complain" usually means "I have no complaints," but it can also mean "I'm not allowed to complain." A joke about an oppressive governmental regime…
"My girlfriend can't wrestle, but you should see her box" is a jocular saying about wrestling and boxing -- with a sexual innuendo -- that has been printed on many images. The boxing…
New York author Ingersoll Lockwood (1841-1918), who wrote the books Travels and Adventures of Little Baron Trump and his Wonderful Dog Bulger and 1900, or, The Last President (1896), had renewed…
"Coincidence lasagna/lasagne" is not a food, but a term to describe "layers of coincidence" -- like the layers of lasagna. "Coincidence lasagna: layers of coincidence. We…