Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Entry in progress -- B.P. Monticello.org (Thomas Jefferson) -- Spurious QuotationsQuotation: "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around…
"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government" (or "The duty of a true patriot is to protect his country from its government") is a quote that has…
Someone's "cup of tea" (what someone likes or prefers) has been an idiom since at least the 1920s. "Coffee is not my cup of tea" is a jocular one-line saying that has been…
"Tea is a cup of life" is a popular aphorism. Quiet Moments and a Cup of Tea: Charming Stories to Grace Your Day (2001) by Alice Gray contained the saying and credited an author:…
"Where there's tea, there's hope" is a saying that has been printed on any gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and cups. The original saying -- "while there is tea, there…
"Tea is liquid wisdom" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, tea cups and tea boxes. "Tea is liquid wisdom" has been cited in print since at…
"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company" is a saying that has been included in many collections of sayings about tea.…
"Tea is instant wisdom -- just add water" is a saying that has been credited to Astrid Alauda since at least 2007. It is not certain who Astrid Alauda is or when this was said. The saying…
"I'm not fat -- I'm just big boned" is a jocular saying that has een printed on posters. "I am not fat, just tall and big boned" was cited in print in 1945.…
"The fans are behind the coach 100 percent, win or tie" is a jocular statement that has been told about (and by) many coaches in college football, professional baseball and professional…
"Isn't Texas cute?" is a popular T-shirt; the outline of Alaska is shown, with the state of Texas fit inside it (clearly showing which state is larger). The shirt has been printed…
The Texas town of McLean had a bra factory in the first half of the 29th century. McLean was humorously nicknamed "The Uplift Town" on a sign, and also went by the nicknames of…
"Showrooming" occurs when someone browses a brick and mortar "showroom" store for a product (such as a book or electronics), but then buys it online (where it can often be…
"I'm not fat -- I'm fluffy" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, often with the picture of a fluffy animal. "I'm not fat;…
"Hammunition" (ham + ammunition) was the "Fake Word of the Day" on the blog Dougtionary in 2008, where it meant "food thrown in a food fight." In 2013, the company…
Yahoo! is a California-based Internet company that was founded by Jerry Yang and David Filo in January 1994 and was incorporated on March 1, 1995. The word "yahoo" was used in Jonathan…
"Turn the/your key, be idle free" is a slogan of anti-idling campaigns, encouraging drivers to turn off their engines when the vehicle is not moving. "Be idle free! Turn off the…
The Columbia cocktail (named for Columbia University) is an infrequently served cocktail that was invented in Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide (1947). The cocktail contains 2 parts light…
"Green circle" chickens are fed scraps from expensive New York City restaurants, and the chickens are then served in those restaurants. The idea behind "green circle" is that…
McDonald's fast food restaurants have several sandwiches named "Mc -- ." In September 2013, Nick Chipman of Dude Foods ordered every McDonald's sandwich -- it cost him $141.33…