Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
A popular joke is told about jazz musicians: "A jazz musician is someone that puts a $5,000 horn in a $500 car and drives 50 miles for $5 gig." The joke was first cited on Twitter on…
Massachusetts Senator Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) wrote in The Age (Melbourne, Australia) on July 10, 1967, and in his book, To Seek a Newer World (1967): "Of course to adhere to standards,…
"Freedumb" (freedom + dumb) is a jocular spelling that has become popular, with several meanings. It can mean that people people who allegedly fight for freedom ("freedumb…
"This office will not tolerate redundancy in this office" is a jocular office sign. The office joke has been cited in print since at least 2002. Forumosa.comMe English get badderPostby…
A popular office joke printed on many e-cards is: "Strange new trend at the office. People putting names on food in the company fridge. Today I had a tuna sandwich named Kevin." That is,…
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" has been credited to American pastor and motivational speaker Robert H. Schuller (1926-2015). Schuller used the line many…
"Act your wage" (act your age + wage) is a saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying means that one should live within one's means. "Act your wage" has been…
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the successor to World War II’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The CIA has been popularly nicknamed "Crooks In Action" since at least 2010.…
"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…