“Never wear white after Labor Day” (fashion rule)
A fashion rule is that one should only wear white (or bright colors) during the summer -- from Memorial Day until Labor Day. It's not known when this "rule" began and many people do…
Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
A fashion rule is that one should only wear white (or bright colors) during the summer -- from Memorial Day until Labor Day. It's not known when this "rule" began and many people do…
An old football adage is that no one hears about an offensive lineman when that player is doing a good job. If you hear an offensive lineman's name mentioned in the course of a football game,…
A popular joke is told about a person (or a person in a particular profession) with a high opinion of himself or herself. The following joke about doctors was told in 1995: "The difference…
It's common knowledge that onions make one cry and that beans give one gas, leading to the joke: Q: What do you get when you mix beans and onions? A: Tear gas. The joke has been cited in print…
"What's the difference beteen beer nuts and deer nuts? Beer nuts cost $1.90 while deer nuts are always under a buck." The "beer nuts"/"deer nuts" joke is a very…
Self-deprecating comedian Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) supposedly got this put-down from his wife: "My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday." The joke has been cited…
Many tall fish tales are told about "the one that got away." "Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught" is a jocular one-liner that has been cited in print since…
"I eat cake because it's somebody's birthday somewhere" is a jocular line that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and cards. "I'm offering chocolate…
Cable News Network (CNN) began in 1980 as the first all-news television channel. Some critics of CNN have claimed that the network promotes global corporations and the "New World Order."…
"Hard work is equal to prayer" was a motto of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister of India (1964-66). Shastri believed that hard work was a religious article of faith, and his saying has…
"If you've seen one chamber (of commerce), you've seen one chamber (of commerce)" is a popular saying among members of chambers of commerce. The saying means that each chamber…
"God gives every bird its food, but does not throw it into the nest" is a popular proverb, meaning that God provides, but one must still work hard. The saying was printed as a Danish…
"SHCOOL" is a failed spelling of "SCHOOL" that has been painted on several roads. These images have been used as a meme to discuss "school" and "failure."…
New York City-born comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) performed the bit "Al Sleet, the hippy-dippy weatherman," containing the memorable joke: "Tonight's forecast: dark.…
The Jack Rose is a cocktail containing applejack, grenadine, and lemon or lime juice. Some people have guessed that the name comes from applejack ("Jack") and Rose's lime juice…
"Guns (only) have two enemies: rust and politicians" is a popular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and bumper stickers. The pro-gun (pro-Second…
Many jokes have been told about unemployed actors. One popular joke is: Q: How do you get an actor off your front porch?A: Pay him for the pizza. The joke has been cited in print since at least…
Criminal lawyers and family lawyers have a popular saying: "Criminal lawyers see bad people at their best, and divorce lawyers see good people at their worst." It's not known who…
"A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time: pills or stairs" is a popular one-line saying about fitness. "The condition of a man can be judged by what he…
"There's always room for dessert" is a popular saying at the dinner table. "There is always room for ice cream" was cited in print in 1901. "Always room for cake"…