Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t" is a business saying that has been…
Rock musician Frank Zappa (1940-1993) said in a February 1971 interview (available on YouTube): "Well I think that progress is not possible without deviation. And I think that it's…
"Dreams don't work unless you do" is a popular motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1998 and is of unknown…
Jon Corzine was chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, United States Senator from New Jersey (2001-2006), Governor of New Jersey (2006-2010), and CEO of MF Global (2010-2011). MF Global collapsed at…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Skin in the game (phrase)To have "skin in the game" is to have incurred monetary risk by being invested in achieving a goal. In the phrase,…
Liquor was jocularly called "poison" in the 19th century. Bar patrons would select their "poison." "Nominate your poison" was cited in March 1864. "Name your…
"The hardest things for me to raise in my garden are my knees" is a joke about old age and gardening. "The hardest thing to raise in my garden is my knees" was cited in print in…
The U. S. Constitution's Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms. Newspaper columnist and humorist Bill Vaughan (1915-1977) was credited in 1966 with turning the words around:…
Mud has been called a "great leveller" because a muddy playing field makes it difficult to run up and down, thus preventing much scoring. "Mud, like death, is a great leveller"…
"BTFD" (Buy The Fucking Dip) dates from 2010; investors should buy stocks when the price dips because it will go back up. "BTFATH" (Buy The Fucking All Time High) means that…
The English poet John Donne (1572-1631) is credited with the line, "no man is an island." Manhattan -- which starts with "man" -- is an island. A silly syllogism has been cited…
"What seems to be the problem, officer?" is what a driver might ask whose vehicle is being pulled over to the side of the road by the police. "What seems to be the officer,…
"Cancel my subscription -- I don't need your issues" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and bumper stickers. The saying takes a…
"Goverment philosophy: If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is" is a jocular saying that's been printed on many bumper stickers. The usual proverb is, of course, "If it…
The expression "game of inches" means that there is a very close line between winning and losing. "Football is a game of inches, not yards" was cited in print in November 1941,…
"The difference between try and triumph is a little umph" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many posters. "It's been said the difference between try and…
"Commit to be fit" is a popular fitness slogan. "Commit to be fit" was cited in print in an advertisement for a Wisconsin health club in November 1984. The saying has appeared…
"When your legs are/get tired, run with your heart" is a popular saying that has been printed on many posters. "When your legs burn, run with your heart" was cited on Twitter in…
"Sweat is (just) fat crying" is a popular saying that has been oriented on many gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. "Sweat is fat crying" has been cited in print since at…
A "listicle" (list + article) is an article with a list structure, as in "The Top Ten Barbecue Restaurants." The term "listicle" has been cited in print since at least…