Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
A popular public speaking joke was cited in print in March 1949 and credited to Dublin Opinion: "The human brain is a wonderful thing. It starts working the moment you are born, and never…
American comedian Rita Rudner used a successful line in her routine by at least 2000: "I read recipes the same way I read science fiction. I get to the end and think, 'Well, that's…
Manhattan-born comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) wrote in his bestselling book, Brain Droppings (1997): "The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument…
A hospital stay is expensive, and the comic line goes: "A hospital bed is a parked taxi with the meter running." Variety columnist and author Frank Scully (1892-1964) was credited with…
New York Mets manager Casey Stengel (1890-1975) was quoted by sportswriter Jim Murray in May 1962: "Now there's three things you can do: you can win or you can lose. Or it can rain."…
New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker (1881-1946), who served from 1926 to 1932, is infrequently quoted for saying, "We are launching this innovation for the first time." The alleged quote…
Former New York Yankees baseball manager Casey Stengel (1890-1975) was the league's oldest manager when he took that position on the expansion New York Mets. For Stengel's 74th birthday…
'Never mix the grape and the grain" -- that is, do not mix a grape drink (such as wine) with a grain drink (such as beer) -- is a proverb that has been popular since at least the 1940s.…
American baseball pitcher and broadcaster Dizzy Dean (1910-1974) was known for his colorful use of language. He sometimes ended his shows with: "Fans, don't fail to miss tomorrow's…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: BuffaloEtymologyProbably from buffalo (Bison bison), since both cities are in regions that had wild herds at the time the names originated. Buffalo, New York…
On August 15, 1926, in a game at Ebbets Field against the Boston Braves. the Brooklyn Dodgers had the bases loaded. Babe Herman (1903-1987) hit a ball that the runners thought would be caught. Hank…
Professional ice hockey player Gordie Howe (1928-2016) said in 1967 that teammate Ted Lindsay was a "great bi-linguist -- he's always been well versed in English and profanity." In…
Entry in progress -- B.P. "Ninety percent of this game is half mental" is a saying that was popular in baseball in the 1970s. Wikipedia: Jim McKennyJames Claude "Howie" McKenny…
"Pair off in threes" is a jocular line that several coaches have given to their players. American football player and coach Ernie Godfrey (1892-1980) was credited in 1937 for "Now…
During a game at Yankee Stadium in May 1946, fans in the front row of the outfield left their coats over the railing. Public address system announcer Arthur “Red” Patterson said: "“Will…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Danny OzarkDaniel Leonard Ozark, born Daniel Leonard Orzechowski (November 24, 1923 — May 7, 2009) was an American coach and manager in Major League Baseball.…
"Free spirits" usually doesn't mean "open bar," but this is a subject of several jokes. "Perking up at 'free spirits.' Is there an open bar somewhere?"…
"Better safe than sorry" is an old proverb. "Better sore than sorry" is a motivational saying that has been printed on posters and T-shirts. "Better sore than sorry"…
A popular story about New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (1925-2015) is from 1950, when the team was on a road trip. Another teammate took a look at Yogi's shabby bag and suggested that he…
Entry in progress -- B.P.Don Meredith (1938-2010) Wikipedia: Tom LandryThomas Wade "Tom" Landry (September 11, 1924 – February 12, 2000) was an American football player and coach. He is…