Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
American author and critics William Dean Howells (1837-1920) wrote in 1894: "Without it (drink -- ed.), there would be far less poverty than there is, but poverty is a good old American…
"When I exercise I wear all black -- it's like a funeral for my fat" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many posters. "I wear all black to the gym cause its like a…
"I am pushing fifty/sixty -- that is enough exercise for me" is an old joke. Mark Twain (the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemons, 1835-1910) is frequently credited, but Twain never said…
"Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart" is a quote from boxing champion Gene Tunney (1897-1978) that appeared in the article "It's More Fun to Be Fit" in the…
American singer and actress Cher did 1980s television commercials for Jack LaLanne health spas. The message was that good health doesn't come in the form of a pill -- you have to work out:…
"Interest on debt grows without rain" is often stated to be a Yiddish proverb. "Interest grows without rain, stupid" was cited in The Nightingale, or, The saga of Yosele Solovey…
"Bodybuilding -- When your mission in life is to be shaped like a uterus" is a jocular poster that shows a man flexing muscles, but posing as if in a uterus-like position. The…
"More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin" is a saying that has been printed on posters. "More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin" has been…
American author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) refused to pay poll taxes for six years because he objected to any money going to support the Mexican-American War or slavery. In July…
"Boots on the ground" means "ground troops." Modern warfare often involves missiles and air support first, followed by "boots on the ground." "Boots on the…
"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life" is a very popular quotation on Twitter. The quotation has been credited to American author Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) since 2005, but…
Pawn shops usually accept gold and silver jewelry, but, after the financial crisis in 2008, some pawn shops began accepting high quality wines. "Pawning Wine: Paris Hock Shops Accept…
A blue velvet cake is a different-colored version of the popular red velvet cake. The velvet cakes are layer cakes with cream cheese icing. The song "Blue Velvet" (1950) and the movie…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Black budget A black budget is a budget that is secretly collected from the overall income of a nation, a corporation, a society of any form, a national…
Businesses sometimes encourage people to "think outside the box" (think unconventionally) to find solutions. "You'll have a whole eternity to think inside the box" is a…
Newspaper columnist and author H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) disliked The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910 (1911) by Joel Elias Spingarn (1876-1939). Mencken…
"You've got to make contacts to make contracts" is a one-line saying that has been credited to Cavett Robert (1907-1997), co-founder of the National Speakers Association. "It…
A "stage mother" is the mother of a stage performer -- usually a daughter. The stereotypical stage mother does everything to make her child a star. A classic description is of the mothers…
"Bespoke" usually refers to an item of clothing made to a customer's specifications, such as "bespoke tailoring." A news article on Bloomberg.com in August 2013, "How…
"Guacward" (guacamole + awkward) is a jocular word about the awkwardness in eating or making guacamole. The term "guacward" has been cited in print since at least 2010, when it…