Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe Curious New Yorker: 329 Fascinating Questions and Surprising Answers about New York CityBy Andrea KannapellNew York, NY: Times Books1999Pg. ?:In fact,…
"Brooklyn boys" is 19th century slang for delirium tremens (DTs). The term has been cited in print since at least 1883 and the exact meaning is unknown, but it probably refers to…
Connecticut was known as the "Freestone State" in the 19th century. There were many freestone quarries throughout the state. "Freestone State" has been cited in print since at…
A "breakup cake" is for couples breaking up, just as a wedding cake is for couples getting together in marriage. A breakup cake can contain a graphic display or just a simple message.…
A classic racetrack joke is: "I bet on a wonderful horse. It took seven horses to beat him." The joke has been cited in print since at least 1942. New York-born comedian Joe E. Lewis…
"Scrod" is a fish and not the passive pluperfect subjunctive of the word "screwed," but there are jokes. A version of an old poem was printed in Time magazine in 1962:…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A pig version has one pig enter a bar, take a drink and use the bathroom. Another pig…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A soccer version is: "A soccer ball walks into a bar, and the bartender kicks him…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A baseball version is: "A baseball walks into a bar, and the bartender throws him…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." One version involving William Shakespeare (the Bard of Avon) is: "Shakespeare walks…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." One version involving paper money is: "A five-dollar bill walks into a bar. Bartender…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A penguin version is: "A penguin walks into a bar and asks the bartender, 'Have…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A Texas version is: "A young Texan walks into a bar and orders a drink. 'Got any…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A Texas version is: "A young Texan walks into a bar and orders a drink. 'Got any…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A goldfish version is: "A goldfish walks into a bar and looks at the bartender. The…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." A popular version includes a variation of a classic pick-up line: "An amnesiac walks…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." An unusual variation of the joke is: "Sixteen sodium atoms walk into a bar, followed…
Some accused criminals "get off on a technicality" -- the charges might have been filed after the statute of limitations, for example. The accused criminals might have been guilty of the…
To "take it with a grain of salt" means not to worry too much about something. 'Grin of salt" is a popular malaprop of "grain of salt." Baseball pitcher Bob Feller…
One popular cheese joke is: Q: What cheese do you use to disguise a small horse?A: Mascarpone. The joke has been cited in print since at least 2009. Wikipedia: MascarponeMascarpone…