Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Politicians usually take all opponents seriously -- or, at least, they usually say that they do, even if an election is sure to be a lopsided victory. "There are two ways to run for office --…
"Whiskey is by far the most popular of all remedies that won't cure a cold" is a jocular line that has been credited to American singer and actor Jerry Vale (1930-2014) since 1972,…
"Never trust a warm front" is a catchphrase of Dick Goddard, a long-time meteorologist at WJW-TV (Cleveland, OH). Warm fronts are unpredictable with the amount of precipitation they can…
Walmart was founded in Arkansas by Sam Walton in 1962 and grew to become the world's largest chain of discount retail department stores. Many business writers believe that the American economy…
Louisiana-born investment advisor Blaine Lourd gave a 2007 interview to Michael Lewis, and Lourd discussed the gullibility of investors: "When you got a new customer, all you needed to do was…
"Delay is the deadliest form of denial" was published by C. Northcote Parkinson (1909-1993) in The Times (London) in 1966, with the title of "Parkinson's Law of Delay." An…
"What you appreciate appreciates" is a chapter in Lynne Twist's book, The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life (2003). "If you truly appreciate what…
"Jefftown" (for the Jefferson Avenue area of Bushwick, Brooklyn) was coined by Royal Chase and trademarked by him with a first use on August 22, 2012. The name "Jefftown" was…
Architizer.com, an online architecture platform, is a New York City-based company that began in 2009. In October 2012, Architizer announced that it would have its first annual A+ architecture…
Houston's annual Buffalo Bayou Regatta was started in 1972 by Wayne Walls and the Houston Canoe Club. The Buffalo Bayou was so polluted that the event was called the "Reeking…
"You can borrow for college, but not for retirement" is popular family financial advice. A family can borrow for a child's education, and the child's future earnings can pay off…
"Don't sell/short new highs or buy new lows" is stock market advice that some follow and others do not. Many stock market analysts believe that it's not possible to call the top…
The Huffington Post was started on May 9, 2005, by Arianna Huffington and others; the website features liberal/progressive news and opinion. "The Huffington Joke" is an infrequently used…
"Obedience is not patriotism" stencil; the saying has been printed on T-shirts and bumper stickers. "Blind obedience isn’t patriotism" was cited in print in January 2002,…
Andrews Grove (49 Avenue between 5 Street and Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, Queens) acquired the nickname "Shady Park" from its large trees. Hurricane Sandy knocked down many of…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects revenue for the United States government. In May 2013, an IRS scandal indicated that the agency (under a Democratic president) might have been used to…
The National Football League draft is held in the spring; a popular venue for the draft has been New York City's Radio City Music Hall. The last player selected in the NFL draft is jocularly…
"Hyperpalatable" (and also "hyperpalatability") was coined by American author and administrator David A. Kessler in his book, The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the…
"Womenomics" (women + economic) is a term to describe the influence of women on the economy. "Womenomics" has been cited in print since at least 1981 and 1983, when the term was…
"Is that a gun in your pants or are you just happy to see me?" is an old joke, with many variations. One popular variation is the Japanese food joke ending "...or are you just happy…