Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
American abolitionist Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) is often credited with saying: "I freed thousands of slaves. I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves." There…
A quote about dreams appeared in the Winnipeg (Manitoba) Free Press on October 15, 2005: "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the…
"Noah" saounds like "know a," prompting this pun that was viral on Twitter on September 8, 2010: "Do you need to build an ark to save two of every creature? I Noah…
"'Let's eat, grandma' or 'let's eat grandma' -- punctuation saves lives!" (or "commas save lives") has been printed on many images.…
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an organization that generally tries to raise oil prices and make more money for its member countries. On April 20, 2016, it was…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A version involving prolific inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931) is: "Thomas Edison…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A science joke is: "A non-renewable natural resource walks into a bar and orders a…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: IdahoIdaho (/ˈaɪdəhoʊ/) is a state in the northwestern region of the United States. Idaho is the 14th largest, the 39th most populous, and the 7th least…
The popular "lightbulb joke" doesn't have one standard version that involves politicians. "How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb?" was cited as a…
Many people with Southern roots say that they carry "hot sauce in my bag" -- a reflection that much of America serves bland food. The term "hot sauce in my bag" also possibly…
A joke about salt and pepper shskers is: Q: What did the salt say to the pepper?A: Season's greetings. The food joke has been cited in print since at least 1995. “What did the salt say to…
The "lightbulb joke" has a version that involves lawyers: Q: How many lawyers does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: It depends on how many you can afford. This joke has been cited in…
Principal McGee (actress Eve Arden) said in the 1950s nostalgia movie musical Grease (1978): "If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter." An athletic supporter is also a…
"Jewish time" is a sometimes offensive term for "late." A similar term is "colored people's time." The expressions are sometimes not regarded as offensive if told…
"Brexit” (Great Britain/British + exit) is a word created to define a possible British exit from the eurozone. "Brexit" has been cited in print since at least May 2012. A similar…
"Brexit” (Great Britain/British + exit) is a word created to define a possible British exit from the eurozone. "Brexit" has been cited in print since at least May 2012. A similar…
"Brexit” (Great Britain/British + exit) is a word created to define a possible British exit from the eurozone. "Brexit" has been cited in print since at least May 2012. A similar…
"Incongruous" sounds like "in Congress," prompting the jocular definition: "Incongruous: Where bills are passed." The language pun has been cited in print since at…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." The "naked woman walks into a bar" joke has three versions. The first version…
One popular lawyer joke involves lawyers screwing their clients: Q. Why does the bar association prohibit lawyers from having sex with clients?A. They don't want clients to be screwed twice…