Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksPrinciples of Technical WritingBy Robert HaysReading, MA: Addison-Wesley1965Pg. 2:Employees joked that "When the weight of the paperwork equals the weight…
"I am fond of long walks—when taken by some folks who annoy me" is a jocular line that was cited in a February 1932 newspaper, without attribution. "Fred Allen admits that he likes…
"TANSTAAFL" stands for "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch." "TANSTAAFMWH" means "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Minimum Wage Hike.…
Tina Brown, journalist and the founder and editor of The Daily Beast, wrote the "The Gig Economy" for that online publication on January 12, 2009. "To people I know in the bottom…
"You booze, you lose" is a popular rhyme that is often used in anti-drunk driving campaigns. "With dope, there's hope, but with booze you lose" was cited in print in 1967.…
A popular redneck joke is: "You might be a redneck if......you consider a six-pack and a bug zapper to be quality entertainment." American stand-up comedian Jeff Foxworthy wrote a book of…
Nickelodeon is an American cable television network containing programming for children and adolescents. In 2008 and 2009, a channel running Nickelodeon's cartoons from the 1990s was called…
A "3-and-D" (or "three-and-D") basketball player is someone (usually a wing player, such as a small forward or a shooting guard) who can hit three-point shots and who can play…
The financial television network CNBC has often been criticized for cheerleading its viewers into buying stocks, which helps to create a stock bubble. Bill Fleckenstein of Fleckenstein Capital…
The financial television network CNBC has often been criticized for cheerleading its viewers into buying stocks, The business channel has been nicknamed "Tout TV" since at least 2000. A…
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." One popular science joke is: "Schrödinger's cat walks into a bar ... and…
"Summer wrestlers make winter champions" (or "Summer wrestling makes winter champions") is a popular wrestling adage. "Summer wrestling makes winter champions" was…
"Recipes are like online dating… They never end up looking like the picture!" is a jocular saying that has been cited in print since at least 2010. "Recipes are like online…
"Oblivobesity" (obliviousness + obesity) was coined by Dr. David L. Katz, director of Yale University School of Medicine's Yale Prevention Research Center. "Where…
"I tired to catch some fog. I mist" is a pun that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts, hats and bumper stickers. "Just tried to catch some fog. I…
"The checkbook and the calendar never lie" (or "the calendar and the checkbook never lie") means that you can tell about a person's priorities by looking at how he or she…
"All you need is a chip and a chair" is a popular poker adage. "'Gimmee a chip and a chair and a pair,' meaning he would like to sit into a game" was cited in the Las…
The term "graduated cylinder" is the subject of an obvious joke: Q: What do you call a tube with a college degree?A: A graduated cylinder. The joke has been cited in print since at least…
The classic question of "Why do birds fly south in the winter?" has a simple answer: Q: Why do birds fly south in the winter?A: Because it's too far to walk. The joke has been cited…
Water (H20) should not be confused with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). A rhyming aid was cited in 1894 and has long been popular with high school and college chemistry students: Our Willie passed away…