Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) began an advertising campaign in 2014 to encourage riders to have better manners in an attempt to prevent "manspreading" and other ills.…
American blues songwriter Big Bill Broonzy (1893-1958) wrote in "Black, Brown and White" (1947): "If you're white, it's all right --If you're brown, stick around --…
"Do your talking on the field/court" means that one should concentrate less on the sportswriters and concentrate more on the performance, letting that speak for itself. "He prefers…
Eric Garner died in Staten Island on July 17, 2014. A police officer had grabbed his neck (seemingly choking Garner), and a video of the incident recorded Garner saying, "I can't…
"Manspreading" is when a man -- although the term could also apply to a woman -- spreads his legs on the subway and takes up more than one subway seat. New York's Metropolitan…
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!" is what a parent might say to a child -- although food can't get in the mouth if it's shut. "Some of the funniest memories came from…
"Never mix the grape and the grain" is a drinking adage of unknown authorship. "I will not mix the grape and the grain" was cited in 1940. "Never mix the grain and the…
"Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds" has been printed on many posters that have been on the walls of many schools. "Our…
"When work feels overwhelming, remember that you're going to die" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many ecards. The saying has been cited in print since at least…
Entry in progress -- B.P. New York (NY) TimesOil and the Ruble Drag the Market Down a Bumpy SlopeBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DEC. 16, 2014John Manley, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo Fund…
Everyone knows that all items in a dollar store (or a 99-cent store) cost one dollar (or 99 cents), although very often selected items have different prices. A popular "yo mama joke"…
"A cookie a day keeps the sadness away" is a variation of the much older "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." "A cookie a day keeps the sadness away" was cited on…
New York State has been called the "progressive capital of the nation" by Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who was elected governor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. Cuomo referred to the…
"Is everything okay?" a waiter often asks the diners at a restaurant table. However, in a Jewish restaurant, the diners complain about everything and the waiter asks, "Is anything…
"I enjoy long, romantic walks...to the fridge" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and coffee mugs. "I like long walks to the…
"NoCo" (Northern Boulevard + Corona) was popularized in the article "Welcome to 'NoCo,' the Corona Blocks With Luxury Apartments" by Katie Honan on DNAinfo New York,…
“Be kind to everyone on the way up; you’ll meet the same people on the way down” was credited to American playwright Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) on July 5, 1932. "He (newspaper columnist…
"A winner is a dreamer who never gives up" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many images, often with a credit to South African political leader Nelson Mandela…
"Laughter is brightest where food is best" is a Irish proverb that has been printed on many images. "Ni geal an gaire ach san ait a mbionn an biadh. (Laughter is gayest where the…
"My friend thinks he's smart. He said onions are the only food that make you cry. So I threw a coconut at his face" is a joke that has been printed on several posters. The joke has…