Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"The guy who said that the truth never hurts never had to fill out a form 1040" is a popular tax-day joke. "The guy who said that the truth never hurts never had to make out a 1040…
"For many are called, but few are chosen" is from the New Testament, Matthew 22:14. "Many are cold, but few are frozen" is a jocular variation or eggcorn" of the biblical…
"O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" is the famous last line of the first stanza of "The Star Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.…
"Land of 2 seasons: Winter is coming, Winter is here" was cited with other "Minnesota slogans" in the newsgroup rec.humor in January 1990. The "Land of Two Seasons: Winter…
English television host David Frost (1939-2013) is frequently credit with this line: "Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you…
A jocular line about Uncle Sam appeared in Earl Wilson's syndicated entertainment column in January 1962: "'We wondered,' said Arnold Glasow, 'why Uncle Sam wore such a…
A jocular line about Uncle Sam appeared in Earl Wilson's syndicated entertainment column in January 1962: "'We wondered,' said Arnold Glasow, 'why Uncle Sam wore such a…
"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes" is an old saying. A variation is: "Taxpayer: A person who resents that death and taxes don't come in…
Wall Street. the financial center of the United States, originally had a wall, but it was removed by 1700. A joke about the name "Wall Street" circulated in newspapers in April 1924:…
"Minny" is an abbreviation of 'Minnesota." The term has been most frequently used in sports, especially in newspaper headlines. "'SHI' AND 'MINNY'…
"The reward for saving your money is being able to pay your taxes without borrowing" is a jocular line that's popular at tax time. "The master farmer is the farmer who can pay…
Many places have advertised themselves as a "Valley of Opportunity." Bitterroot Valley, in southwestern Montana, advertised that it was a "Valley of Opportunity" in 1907.…
Binghamton, in Broome County, New York, is called the "Carousel Capital of the World." George F. Johnson (1857-1948), a shoe manufacturer in the Triple Cities area, donated six carousels…
The city of Utica, in Oneida County, New York, saw its population decrease as industry moved out after 1950. However, refugees moved to the city in the 1980s and 1990s, boosting the population.…
"The reward for saving your money is being able to pay your taxes without borrowing" is a jocular line that's popular at tax time. "The master farmer is the farmer who can pay…
The city of Utica (NY) experienced a manufacturing decline in the second half of the 20th century and, allegedly, was called the "City that God Forgot." However, "The city that God…
Several cities have been called "Twin Cities." Columbus (GA), Phenix City (AL) and Girard (AL) were called 'Triple Cities" by at least the 1890s. The western New York cities of…
"Can I claim the government as a dependent on my taxes?" is a jocular saying that has been printed on ecards and bumper stickers. "I still can't figure out why I can't list…
"A fool and his money are soon parted" is a popular English proverb that dates to the 1500s. A fool and his money are soon audited" is a jocular variation on the saying that has been…
"Make America Great Again" is a political slogal that was used by Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) in the 1980s. American businessman and politician Donald Trump used the slogan since at least…