Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"Apricot" sounds a bit like "ape re-caught." A pun was posted on Reddit -- Dad Jokes on July 8, 2017: "Have you heard about the gorilla who got a name change? Peaches the…
A college drinking riddle is: Q: What is the difference between a college student and a camel? A: The camel can go five days without drinking. "The difference between an engineering undergrad…
"Around the clock" is used in a chicken pun as "around the cluck." This version was printed on a 1961 newspaper: Pat: "Is raising chickens hard work?"Mike: "It…
Popular cow riddles are: “What do you call a cow with no legs?"/"Ground beef.”“What do you call a cow with one leg?"/"Steak.”“What do you call a cow with two/three…
Kalustyan’s, located at 123 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, opened in 1944 and has specialized in Indian and Middle Eastern spices and foods. The store was called the "spice mecca in…
"Around the clock" is used in a chicken pun as "around the cluck." This version was printed on a 1961 newspaper: Pat: "Is raising chickens hard work?"Mike: "It…
An elephant riddle is: Q: How do you make an elephant float?A: With two scoops of ice cream, and elephant and some root beer. The elephant joke became very popular in 1963. “How can you make a…
A "Troutman Postulate" of computer programming was published in 1980: "5. PROFANITY IS THE ONE LANGUAGE ALL PROGRAMMERS KNOW BEST." The wording is often slightly changed into a…
For something to "sell" (or "go off") "like hotcakes" (or "like hot cakes") is for that thing to sell very quickly -- a great success. The expression has…
A classic programming joke is: Q: How did the programmer die in the shower?A: By following the instructions on the shampoo bottle: "Lather. Rinse. Repeat." The programming joke was posted…
"My poor knowledge of Greek mythology has always been my Achilles elbow" -- "Achilles' heel" is correct -- is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images.…
For something to "sell" (or "go off") "like hotcakes" (or "like hot cakes") is for that thing to sell very quickly -- a great success. The expression has…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Sno-ballA sno-ball is a New Orleans confection made with finely shaved ice and flavored cane sugar syrup. Commonly confused with the snow cone, the ice of a…
"Honey, sorry I came home half drunk. I ran out of money!" is a jocular drinking saying that has been printed on many images. This husband-and-wife exchange was printed in many newspapers…
There's a difference between Scotch whisky and Scotch tape, but there have been several jokes. "A glass of your finest Scotch tape" was posted on Twitter on August 18, 2015.…
"The fridge is a clear example that what matters is what’s inside" -- in the refrigerator's case, food is usually inside -- is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on…
"I feel like people who eat breakfast really have their lives together" is a one-line saying about breakfast that has been printed on many images. The saying was posted on Twitter on May…
"One day I want to be 'Let’s Just Take My Helicopter' rich" is a jocular saying about wealth that has been printed on several images. The saying was posted on Twitter on…
An obvious joke on the name of Starbucks (an American coffee company and coffeehouse chain) is: Q: What kind of money do they use in space?A: Starbucks. The joke was posted on Twitter on November…
"I like my women like I like my coffee" is a meme that has been used on many images. "A Negro comedian pulled this one: 'I like my coffee strong and black -- the same way I like…