Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"If you sleep with the elephants, you can't cover the circus" has developed into a newspaper adage. In 1977, it was discovered that New York (NY) Times writer Laura Foreman had been…
Newspaper headlines sometime ask a question, and the answer to that question is usually "no." If the answer is "yes," then it's a fact and there would be no reason to ask a…
"Four things put a man beside himself -- women, tobacco, cards, and wine" is an old Spanish proverb, cited in print since at least 1726. A variant of this proverb replaces…
"It it grows together, it goes together" is a philosophy or wine and food pairings. Food and wine from a certain region (and from a certain season) should be served together, according to…
"If it doesn't look good, don't put it on the/your front porch" appears to be a real estate adage (make your house look the best), but is usually a Southern mother's advice…
"We win as a team and we lose as a team" is a teamwork adage that has been said by many players and coaches in many team sports. "We win as a team and lose as one" was said in…
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, you've been a wonderful audience. I'll be here all week. Try the veal. And don't forget to tip your servers" is a classic line that a…
"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it" is something someone might say to another to get that person to try a new product. "Don't knock it 'til you've…
Dominic Frisby, of MoneyWeek, wrote in November 2009: "One of my definitions of a bubble is 'a bull market in which you don't have a position'. How many of those that say gold…
"There's no place like home!" is one of the most famous of all American expressions. John Howard Payne (1791-1852) wrote these lyrics for "Home, Sweet Home" in the opera…
The term "safe as houses" was popularized in England in the 1850s. "Safe" means a sure an secure investment; a person who buys a house is not speculating and has a solid…
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" (or "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard") is a popular sports saying that has been printed on many…
A "micro-bakery" (or "microbakery") is a small bakery that usually specializes in a small variety of products. Often the "micro-bakery" is the oven of someone's…
New York City grants tax breaks to developers who set aside a certain portion of their buildings for affordable housing. An Extell building at 40 Riverside Boulevard, between 61st and 62nd streets,…
"After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, buttons and T-shirts. The "WTF" stands for…
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and wall plagues. The saying is almost always credited to…
"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick and pull yourself together" is a saying that has been credited to actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) that has been printed on many posters.…
"Morning has broken; Mr. Coffee has spoken" is a saying that has appeared on posters. "Morning Has Broken" is a classic song that was popularized by Cat Stevens in 1971. The…
"A bad plan is better than no plan (at all)" is a popular chess adage that is also used in business. Chess champion Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941) wrote in Chess Strategy (1915): "An…
Lines from the film National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) are frequently quoted. Flounder was in charge of his brother Fred's car, but the fraternity boys wrecked it. "You fucked…