Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"If you're going to ride my ass, at least pull my hair and make me scream!" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many bumper stickers. The bumper sticker saying was cited on…
"When there's a big solar energy spill, it's just called 'a nice day'" is a jocular pro-solar energy line that has been printed on many images. "Hey #tcot…
A popular saying about speaking is: "If you would be pungent, be brief—for it is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are condensed the deeper they burn." The line was published…
"Mannouncer" (man + announcer) and "mannouncing" (man + announcing) were used in August 2016, during the Rio Olympics. The terms apply to male announcers who are clearly more…
"Mind your business" is an old saying. "Mind your own tits" is a pro-breastfeeding saying that has been printed on many images. "Mind your own tits, and I will mind my own…
"9/11 was an inside job" is a famous (or infamous) saying associated with the attacks on New York City's World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. "7/11 is/was a part-time…
A popular scarecrow pun is: Q: Why did the scarecrow win a promotion?A: Because he was outstanding in his field. "Why did the scarecrow get a Nobel Prize? Because he was outstanding in his…
Entry in progress -- B.P. “The City that Lights and Hauls the World” is a similar Schenectady nickname. Wikipedia: Schenectady, New YorkSchenectady /skᵻˈnɛktədi/ (skə-nek-tə-dee) is a…
Entry in progress -- B.P. "Electric City" is a similar Schenectady nickname. Wikipedia: Schenectady, New YorkSchenectady /skᵻˈnɛktədi/ (skə-nek-tə-dee) is a city in Schenectady…
"The story of milk" was told by Wilde Things on Twitter on August 14, 2016: "The story of milk: Good milk. Bad milk. Disgusting milk. Dangerous milk. Cheese! I love a happy…
A popular "yo mama" insult "fat joke" is: "Yo mama is so fat, when she sits around the house, she REALLY sits around the house." The joke has been cited in print since…
A math pun using the word "binomial" is: "I know a mathematician who couldn't afford to buy lunch. He could binomial (buy no meal)." The joke was posted on the Pun of the…
"Hero ball" occurs in basketball when one player decides to be the "hero" and take the crucial shot(s). "Hero ball" can work when that player is a superstar, but team…
A popular joke about the Olympics is: Q: Why isn't suntanning an Olympic sport?A: Because the best you can ever get is bronze. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2008. Enough…
"Monkeys write" (also "monkey writes") is an anagram of New York Times. The anagram -- one of the most popular -- has been cited in print since at least 1998. The Anagram Genius…
Manhattan-born Robert Cooper (1976-2016) introduced St-Germain, an elderflower liqueur, in 2007. The product immediately caught on with several bars in New York City (such as Death & Co.) and…
A popular chicken riddle is: Q: What do you call a chicken with a bad sunburn?A: Fried chicken. "What do you call a chicken that got a sunburn in Florida?"/"A southern fried…
"Built to stay free" is an anagram of "Statue of Liberty." New York (NY) Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz explained on NPR's Weekend All Things Conisdered in June…
There have been make jokes about drummers. A popular riddle is: Q: How is a drum solo like a sneeze?A: You can tell it's coming, but you can't do anything about it. The joke has been…
A popular riddle about the Statue of Liberty is: Q: What should you say when the Statue of Liberty sneezes?A: God bless America. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1986. Wikipedia:…