Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"The only reason I'm fat is because a tiny body couldn't store all this personality" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was cited on…
"In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate" is a proverb that American science fiction author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) wrote in Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain…
American author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) wrote or edited more than 500 books, covering many different subjects. Asimov wrote about self-education in Science Past, Science Future (1975): "I…
The U.S. Supreme Court was established in the United States Constitution in 1789 and is the highest federal court in the Untied States. "Supreme Dorks" is an unflattering nickname that…
New York-born Ira Siff created La Gran Scena Opera Co. in 1981, often featuring Siff's diva character, Madame Vera Galupe-Borszkh. In the recording "Forgeef Me My Enklish": the Wit…
A popular silly riddle is told about New York: Q: Where do cows go on vacation?A: Moo York. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1978. "Where do eggs go on vacation?"/"New…
A popular silly riddle is told about New York: Q: Where do eggs go on vacation? A: New Yolk City. The "Where do eggs go on vacation?" joke has been cited in print since at least 2009.…
"Chicken, airplane, soldier" is how many swim instructors explain the backstroke to young swimmers. Hands are under the armpits (like a chicken), then arms are spread directly out (like…
Bottles of distilled beverages in the United States used to be sold in "fifths" (one-fifth of a gallon), prompting the Fourth of July (Independence Day) joke: "Who goes forth with a…
Good posture is important in ballroom dancing. "Persistent practice of postural principles promises perfection" is a saying that has been printed in several books on ballroom dancing. The…
A popular lawyer joke (among many) is: Q: Why should lawyers be buried 20 feet underground?A: Because deep down, they're good fellows. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1990. 18…
"You can't keep a good man down" is a popular saying from the 1880s. "'You can't keep a good market down.' some gleeful broker is alleged to have written on a…
"You can't keep a good man down" is a popular saying that means a good person will persevere and triumph over adversity. The saying dates to the 1880s. "It's hard to keep a…
Entry in progress -- B.P. NBA.comMCW And Noel Expected To Start Against Bostonby Max RappaportSixers.com WriterPosted: Nov 19, 2014(...)“I know it’s a process, and like guys have been saying…
"Run at spaces, not faces" is a popular saying in tag rugby. The saying is for the offense; on defense, the defenders should run at faces (the players, especially the one with the ball).…
A marketing pitch should include important and accurate information, but it shouldn't confuse potential buyers. "Confused people don't buy" is a popular marketing adage of…
"The old saying is that you cut your roses back before President's Day and your azaleas before the Fourth of July" was cited in 2015. It's not certain when the two gardening…
Parents say "goodbye" when their children are sent off to school, prompting a silly joke: Q: What did the buffalo say when his son left for college?A: Bison! (Bye, son!) "What did…
"They don't get big by being dumb/stupid" is a hunting and fishing adage, meaning that a big animal/fish has some survival smarts. "There are some big (deer) over here but…
"It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose" is a common saying, meaning that one should think before speaking. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1968…