Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"Wine with crackers and cheese is basically just the classy version of beer and nachos" was cited on reddit's "Shower Thoughts" on January 2, 2015. The saying was repeated…
People in the performing arts are often told to reach for the stars. The expression "reach for the stars" does not, of course, mean reaching for actual stars. "Don't reach for…
"I love you a latte" is a cute saying that has been printed on many gift items. "I love you a latte" is a valentine that was posted to alt.fan.tom-robbins in February 1997.…
"I got my stomach doing crunches -- usually either Nestlé or Captain" (that is, Nestlé Crunch chocolate bars and Cap'n Crunch cereal) is a jocular statement that has been printed…
"Improvement beings with 'I'" is a popular inspirational and motivational saying. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1920 and is of unknown authorship. The…
"To me, 'drink responsibly' means don't spill it" is a jocular line that has been printed on T-shirts and ecards. "Drink responsibly means don't spill any I…
"New York is the most successful sequel ever" was cited on reddit's "Shower Thoughts" on December 14. 2014. York, a city in North Yorkshire, England, is the original.…
"It takes a flood to break/end a drought" is an old weather saying of uncertain origin. "It takes a flood to end a drought and it takes a drought to end a flood" was cited in a…
"Spellebrity" ("spelling bee" + celebrity) refers to a notable contestant in a spelling bee, such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The E.W. Scripps Company trademarked…
Sportswriter Arthur Daley (1904-1976) wrote in "Sports of the Times" in the New York (NY) Times of November 10, 1964: "As some sage once wrote: Baseball must be a great game to…
The song "99 Bottles of Beer" goes: 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer.Take one down, pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall... A computer version that has been…
"I want to grow my own food, but no one makes pizza seeds" is a jocular one-line saying. "I want to grow my own food but no one makes pizza seeds" was cited on Twitter on…
"Smoked salmon should be sliced so thin, you can read the New York Times through it" is an old saying of unknown authorship. "The cucumbers...should be sliced so thin you can read…
"Every loaf of bread is a tragic story of grains that could have become beer, but didn't" is a jocular saying that has been printed on T-shirts and posters. "'Every loaf of…
"No one in my entire life has believed in me more than the waiter who just gave me a single napkin" is a jocular saying about eating in a restaurant. The saying was cited on Twitter on…
"This wine pairs well with turkey and difficult relatives" is a jocular saying that has been printed on an ecard and a wine bottle tag. The wine tag was cited on Twitter on September 26,…
"Exercise? I thought you said extra fries" is a jocular saying that has been printed on T-shirts and posters. "I keep getting exercise and extra fries mixed up" was cited on…
"In queso emergency, go to your nearest TexMex restaurant" is a jocular saying that was cited on Twitter on November 20, 2012. "I always keep a Mexican restaurant on speed dial in…
"Marshmallows don’t dissolve. They use hot cocoa as a way to teleport to their homeworld" is a jocular saying that has been popular on Twitter. "Marshmallows don’t dissolve. They…
"In queso emergency, (I) pray to Cheesus" is a jocular saying that has been printed on posters and T-shirts. "IN QUESO EMERGENCY I PRAY TO CHEESUS" was cited on The Lolbrary on…