Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward" has been cited in print since at least 1999 and is of…
"Driver carries n cash" is a popular bumper sticker. "Seen in the last few days in Xenia, a beer truck and a sausage-maker's truck, both bearing painted warnings to would-be…
Manhattan-born actress Sylvia Miles got a reputation for appearing at many New York City openings and parties. American puppeteer Wayland Flowers joked about Miles, "She'd go to the…
"Post-partisan" (or "postpartisan") means beyond partisanship. In the United States, this means beyond the two parties of Democrats and Republicans by taking the best ideas of…
"An active mind cannot exist in an inactive body" is a quotation that is usually attributed to U.S. General George S. Patton (1885-1945). It is not known with any certainty that Patton…
"No man's credit is as good as his money" is credited to E. W. Howe (1853-1937), who established and edited the Atchison (KS) Daily Globe. "No man's credit is as good at a…
"A rock guitarist plays 3 chords to 3,000 people; a jazz guitarist plays 3,000 chords to 3 people" is a popular music joke. "A blues musician plays three chords in front of a…
"Everybody wants to get into the act" (or "Everybody wants ta get inta da act") was a catchphrase of Manhattan-born comedian and entertainer Jimmy Durante (1893-1980). The song…
"I've got a million of 'em" is what Manhattan-born actor and comedian Jimmy Durante (1893-1980) often said after telling a corny joke. The line probably originated in the…
"Drink is the greatest wrecker of men since women was invented" is a jocular quotation that has been printed on a poster. The line was said by Manhattan-born actor and comedian Jimmy…
"If/When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is an old saying. "If/When life gives you melons, you may/might be dyslexic" is a jocular variant that has been printed on many…
"Pizza: The edible pie hart" is a jocular saying that has been printed on T-shirts. "Edible pie chart" has been cited since at least 2008. The "Pizza: The Edible Pie…
"Death before decaf" is a popular saying that has been printed on many images. "Death before decaf" has been cited in print since at least 1991, when it was written on a drinker…
"This isn't an office -- it's hell with fluorescent lighting" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1999…
"Shuck me, suck me, eat me raw" is a saying about eating oysters that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, bumper stickers and posters. "Shuck Me, Suck Me, Eat Me…
The NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) stock market is an American stock exchange. Many have nicknamed it 'Nascrack" or "nascrack" (NASDAQ…
"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world" is a saying that has been printed on many posters. "To the world you may be one person, but to one…
"If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie" (or "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, please be neat and wipe the seat") is a popular sign displayed in many…
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1874-1965) said in October 1943 about plans to rebuild the bomb-shattered House of Parliament: "We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings…
"Make yourself at home! Clean my kitchen" ia a jocular saying that has been printed on many signs. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1999. "Make yourself at home!…