Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
When should shareholders worry about a chief executive officer? Iain Martin wrote in Making It Happen: Fred Goodwin, RBS and the men who blew up the British economy (2013): "The old adage is…
"Journalists become journalists because they aren't good at math" is an old journalism adage. The adage is often brought up when a newspaper story involves math, such as charts and…
"Old World wine" has been cited in print since at least 1897 and has meant wine that is imported from Europe. Terms such as "American wine" or "California wine" were…
"Old World wine" has been cited in print since at least 1897 and has meant wine that is imported from Europe. Terms such as "American wine" or "California wine" were…
"Big Apple Fashioned" (Big Apple + Old Fashioned cocktail) was created by Hayley Jensen, beer sommelier of Taproom No. 307 (307 Third Avenue in Manhattan), in 2012. The cocktail is…
"When you're good (at something), you tell everybody; when you're great, everybody tells you" is a saying that has been used in sports and in business. "When you're…
A "bullionaire" (bullion + -aire, as in "millionaire" and "billionaire") is someone who holds precious metals, such as gold or silver -- usually in a large amount.…
"Too big to comply" is a saying that means a company or a government agency is so big that it must have its own law -- and can't comply with laws that apply to everyone else.…
The media always comes up with a handful of familiar names as potential candidates for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. Who decides on this small group of names? Russell…
A "gundamentalist" (gun + fundamentalist) is someone who believes in the right to bear arms as a matter of personal faith (if not law). The term "gundamentalist" was cited in…
An "ammosexual" (ammo + guns) is someone who loves ammo (ammunition) and guns. "Sexual" is a suffix in such terms ad "metrosexual" and "homosexual."…
The Young Turks (TYT Network) was founded in 2002 and bills itself as "The Largest Online News Show in the World." The Young Turks were given the nickname "The Young Turds" in…
"Earth without art is just eh" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many posters. "Did you know you can't spell Earth without art?" was posted on Twitter…
The Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) announced a 2014 campaign for a new slogan for the city of Houston -- "Houston: The City With No Limits." The campaign sought to highlight Houston as…
"Tips are for waiters" is a stock market adage that dates to at least 1989. The adage holds that one should rely on business fundamentals, not stock tips. If someone is on the inside…
"Housing is the business cycle" is the title of a 2007 paper by Edward Leamer, an American professor of economics and statistics. Leamer wrote: "Housing is the most important factor…
The Coney Island Boardwalk opened in 1923 and is officially called the Riegelmann Boardwalk, after Brooklyn Borough President Edward Riegelmann (1870-1941). Both the NYC Department of Parks &…
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is a proverb that dates to at least the 17th century. "All work and no play will make you a manager" is a popular anti-proverb.…
One coach (especially a football coach) often compliments another coach, saying that the coach can take his players and beat your players or take your players and beat his players. The success came…
Bagels and donuts both have holes in them -- what if they could be combined? "Bagnut" and "doughngel" were cited in print in 2003. "Dogel" was cited in print in 2008.…