Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." An anti-joke of the bar joke is: "A man walks into a bar. His alcoholism problem is…
Accountants are often joked to be less exciting people than auditors. An accounting joke is: Q: What do you call an accountant with an opinion?A: An auditor. The joke was cited on Twitter on…
How much does it cost to get married? A marriage license costs a small amount, but there are other costs. This joke was popularized in the Philadelphia (PA) Record in 1909: "How much does it…
"Korma" should not be confused with "coma," but there are jokes. A pun about spicy Asian food is: A man overdosed on curry powder and went into a korma." "Did you hear…
"People don't mind a politician's hand-shaking and back-slapping, so much as his leg-pulling" was cited in several American newspapers in May 1935. Authorship is unknown. Hal…
"Microwave minutes are longer than regular minutes" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many images. It's difficult to wait for food to cook in the microwave when…
"School minutes are longer than regular minutes" is a saying popular with students who can't wait to get out of school. "It seems as though school minutes are 269 seconds rather…
"Vodka pays the bills" is a popular industry adage that has been printed on T-shirts. If one wants to have a successful bar, then a good supply of vodka is essential. "I enjoy higher…
"Does running out of money count as exercise?" is a jocular question that has been printed on many images. “The only exercise he ever got was running out of money" was cited in…
Is "running out of money" an exercise? "The only exercise he ever got was running out of money" is a jocular line that was cited in Earl Wilson's New York-based syndicated…
"Does running out of money count as exercise?" is a jocular question that has been printed on many images. “The only exercise he ever got was running out of money" was cited in…
Sit-ups involve lying down, and this has been used in jokes. "Just got halfway to 1000 sit-ups! OK, FINE, the lying down half" was posted on Twitter on November 21, 2010. "Do the sit…
"Does balancing my checkbook count as exercise?" is a one-line saying about exercise. The joke was posted by Mary Charlene on Twitter on March 3, 2014. "Does running late count as…
"Does balancing my checkbook count as exercise?" is a one-line saying about exercise. The joke was posted by Mary Charlene on Twitter on March 3, 2014. "Does running late count as…
A pun about the Abraham Lincoln-head penny is: Q: Which president is least guilty? A: Lincoln. He is in a cent. The penny pun has been cited in print since at least 2002. The "in a…
A popular pun about tea is: Q: What kind of tea is sometimes hard to swallow?A: Reality. The joke was from 9-year-old Benje Morris of Charlotte, North Carolina, who won a 1994 Laffy Taffy…
A pun about the Abraham Lincoln-head penny is: Q: Which president is least guilty? A: Lincoln. He is in a cent. The penny pun has been cited in print since at least 2002. The "in a…
A bowling alligator pun is: Q: What do you call an alligator who goes bowling?A: An alley gator. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1980. 24 July 1980, Lexington (KY) Herald, A Page…
Omaha, Nebraska is sometimes called the 'Big O." Basketball superstar Oscar Robertson (an NBA player from 1960 to 1974) popularized "The Big O" nickname for himself. New York…
Many American cities were dubbed a "Magic City" in the 1800s because of rapid growth, Cheyenne, Wyoming was called the "Magic City" since 1867. South Omaha, Nebraska was called…