Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
The border patrol checkpoint at Sierra Blanca, Texas, has been dubbed "checkpoint to the stars" because of the many stars that have been arrested there. People such as singer/songwriter…
"All men are created equal, and then a few become firefighters" is a saying that has been printed on several gift items, such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. U.S. Vice President Joe…
"A late train (only/usually/just) gets later" is an old transportation adage. "A late train gets later" was cited in print in 1922, where it was listed in a newspaper column of…
"The scandal isn't what's illegal, the scandal is what's legal" has long been associated with American political journalist Michael Kinsley. "The scandal isn't…
Miami Beach has had so many visitors and residents from New York City that it was called "New York with palm trees." "Miami, eh? The playground of the rich and the lazy, little old…
"The farther/further north you go, the farther/further south(ern) you get" is one of the most popular adages about Florida. Northerners seek the beaches of south Florida, so northern…
"McDiving" (McDonald's + diving) occurs when someone dives over the counter at a McDonald's fast food restaurant -- and usually has the video to prove it. "Mcdiving…
"If it makes dollars, it makes sense" was cited in June 2000 in a penny stock forum. The saying is usually associated with the boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who said in June 2004 about a…
The saying "two can live as cheaply as one" has been cited in print since at least the 1890s. "Two can eat as cheaply as one" has been cited in print since at least 1927.…
Dominican baseball players have been known as free swingers who don't take walks. Dominican-born shortstop Rafael Ramirez explained in 1986: "You have to swing like a man. A walk…
Baron Quintin Hogg Hailsham of St Marylebone (1907-2001) wrote in The Conservative Case (1959): "The introduction of religious passion into politics is the end of honest politics, and the…
"Malnegligence" (malice + negligence) suggests that an act was either intentionally malicious or an act of negligence -- or some combination of the two. Ace of Spades HQ reported on July…
The "American Dream" is when people work hard and can afford to buy a house and raise a family in the United States; a respectable standard of living is assumed. Comedian George Carlin…
The term "micro-loft" was trademarked by Rosslyn Lofts (Los Angeles, CA), with a first use in commerce on August 11, 2006. The term "microloft" -- synthetic fibers -- had been…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Death panel"Death panel" is a political term that originated during a 2009 debate about federal health care legislation to cover the uninsured in the…
The University of Texas at Austin Longhorns have been so successful in baseball that the school has been nicknamed "The University of Texas at Omaha," after the College World Series of…
A "balance sheet recession" is the slowing of business activity after the bursting of an asset bubble (or bubbles). Economist A. Gary Shilling said in December 1990, "This is a…
"Impeachmint" (also "impeach-mint" or "impeach mint") is a political flavor pun on the word "impeachment." The term was popularized by at least 1973, with…
"You see, whenever thunder roars, most everybody runs indoors" was cited in print in 1933 and has been long-known advice, on Tornado Alley and elsewhere. The U.S. National Weather Service…
Oregon has a "Silicon Forest" of high-tech companies located near Portland, between Beaverton and Hillsboro. Lattice Semiconductor Corporation trademarked "Silicon Forest" with…