Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Haitian writer Jacques Roumain (1907-1944) wrote in Gouverneurs de la Rosée (1944), translated as Masters of the Dew (1947): "If work was such a good thing, the rich would have grabbed it all…
"There's no way in hell" (no way at all) is a common expression, often punned as "no whey in hell." "I heard they banned cheese production there (a place called…
"Mental Attack To Healthy Students" is a jocular "maths" backronym (back acronym) that has been printed on several images. "Teacher: What is maths?Student: Mental Attack To…
"Mental Affected Teachers Harassing Students" is a jocular "maths" backronym (back acronym) that has been printed on several images. "MATHS:Mentally Affected Teachers…
Many people don't like celery. Actress and comedian Abbi Crutchfield tweeted on December 8, 2013: "It's called 'celery' because 'cold, wet plant bones' takes too…
"I will start working when my coffee does" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as coffee mugs, posters and T-shirts. "I start working when the coffee…
"The West wasn't won with a registered gun" is a pro-gun slogan that began in western states such as Idaho, Utah and Alaska. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1968.…
A popular joke about a refrigerator is: "My wife left a note on the fridge that said 'This isn't working I'm going to my mom's.' I opened up the fridge. The light was…
NFL football coach Buddy Ryan (1931-2016) didn't hide his opinions. In 1986 training camp when Ryan was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, he wasn't impressed with running back…
"I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy" is a pro-gun slogan that has been printed on many gift items, such as bumper stickers, T-shirts and posters. The saying has been cited in print…
"I will start working when my coffee does" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as coffee mugs, posters and T-shirts. "I start working when the coffee…
The Simpson, an American animated sitcom, aired an episode on May 19, 1996 where Homer Simpson bought fireworks. The Valu-Mart clerk said: "The M-320: Celebrate the independence of your nation…
A bread pun is: Q: What did one loaf of bread say to the other?A: Weirdo. (We're dough.) The pun was posted on Reddit on July 3, 2016. Twitterlil white dad@itismeE_A_DWe're dough!!…
A lollipop riddle is: Q: Why did the balloon burst?A: Because it saw the lollipop. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1984. 15 April 1984, The Sun-Herald (Sydney, Australia), pg. 84…
"Fight crime -- shoot back" is a pro-gun slogan that has been printed on many bumper stickers.The bumper sticker has been printed since at least 1982, when a police chief in Terre Haute,…
The former Municipal Asphalt Plant (now a sports facility called Asphalt Green) opened in 1941 at East 90st Street and York Avenue in Manhattan. New York Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1888-1981)…
Democratic politician and strategist Dick Tuck ran for the California State Senate in 1966, but finished second in a crowded field. When asked by a television newsman for his reaction, Tuck said:…
"Control the controllables" is a popular saying in business, government and sports. One should control what one can control and not stress about the uncontrollable factors.…
"How do you say goodbye in Arabic?" is the start of a joke about Islamic terrorism. "How do you say goodbye in Arabic?....Press the detonator" was cited on Twitter on April 23,…
Old SPice is the name of an American brand of male grooming products> It's not a spice, but there's a "yo mama" insult joke: "Yo mama is so dumb, she uses Old Spice for…