Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"It takes money to make money" is an old saying. "It takes money to make money becasue you have to copy the design exactly" is a jocular extension of the saying that has been…
"Time kills all deals" is a popular piece of business advice. The longer a deal takes, the more opportunity there is for the deal to fall apart. The saying "time kills all…
"Swimming isn't a sport. Swimming is a way to keep from drowning" is a joke that has been credited -- correctly -- to both American comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) and American…
A military career is a difficult path to raise a family. "If the military wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one" is an old joke. "If the Marine Corps wanted you…
Actors and musicians have a saying about the difference between New York City (Broadway) and Los Angeles (Hollywood): "In New York, they tell you that you suck and they stab you in the heart.…
Muesli has its own popular joke: ""My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in." The joke has been cited in print since at least 2000 and has been…
"The ball will find you" is a baseball adage that means there is nowhere on the field to hide a bad fielder -- sooner or later, the baseball will come that player's way. A big hitter…
"Catchers make the best managers" is a very old baseball adage. "Catchers make good managers" was cited in 1912 and "catchers make the best managers" was cited in…
"You need the ball to score" is an old football adage. If one team controls the time of possession, that means less time for the other team to go on offense (and score). Teams with leads…
A hockey team puts out its best defensemen to kill penalties, but its most crucial penalty killer is its goalie. “Your best penalty-killer is your goalie" was said by Philadelphia Flyers…
"That's what speed do" became the slogan of the 2014 Kansas City Royals baseball team, appearing on T-shirts and even in a rap song. Speedy Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson is credited…
"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died" is advice that American humorist Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) gave to readers of her newspaper column in January 1975. If a doctor…
A popular inspirational poster is: Work for a cause, not for applause.Live life to express, not to impress.Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.-- Author…
"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage" was said by American humorist Erma Bombeck (1927-1996) about the cooking of her mother, Erma Haines Harris. "I come from a…
"Gaphattan" (Gap + Manhattan) was coined by New York City-based journalist Gersh Kuntzman in Newsweek magazine in 2003 and was popularized in The Brooklyn Paper (where Kuntzman also…
"Welcome to New York. Duck, Mother Fucker!" -- along with the picture of a handgun -- has been printed on many T-shirts. "I break the ice by presenting him with a New York souvenir…
The New York (NY) Evening Graphic had a brief run from 1924 to 1932, but it was known for its high circulation in the city and its sensationalism, such as stories of murder and photos of the human…
"You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, bumper stickers and posters. "And then…
"People who complain about the way the ball bounces usually dropped it" (that is, people who complain about something that is messed-up often caused the mess) is a popular saying.…
Parents often teach their children "the value of a dollar." ""Teach your children the value of a dollar and the value of saving in their early days" was cited in a…