Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"First-rate people hire first-rate people; second-rate people hire third-rate people" is a business saying meaning that one should always hire the best people. Leo Rosten (1908-1997), an…
"Last Chance Saloon" has been the name of many drinking and eating places in the United States for over 150 years. The First and Last Chance Saloon was opened by Noel Burton in Fort Town…
The expression "like a pork chop at a Bar Mitzvah" means that something is out of place and unwelcome. A pork chop is not kosher and cannot be served at a Bar Mtizvah. "Going over…
"No husband/man has ever been shot while doing the dishes" is a humorous saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as posters, T-shirts and even kitchen aprons. The popular…
"Fettuccine Alfredo is macaroni and cheese for adults" is a line credited to American stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg (1968-2005). It's not known when Hedberg first included the joke…
The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates ignore states where the election is not in question and spend almost all of their time in contested or "battleground" states. The…
A "prepper" is someone who prepares to survive a disaster, such as food shortages or a terrorist attack. The term became popular in 2012 with the National Geographic Channel television…
"A waffle is like a pancake with a syrup trap" is a jocular statement that has been printed on many images. The joke was a signature of comedian Mitch Hedberg's comedy act since at…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksPeter's Quotations: Ideas for Our TimesBy Laurence J. PeterNew York, NY: Quill/Morrow1992Pg. 188:Whenever one finds oneself inclined to bitterness, it is…
A "feastival" (feast = festival) is an event with food ("feast") and usually some entertainment. The word "feastival" has been cited in print since at least 1939, with…
'Chinese broccoli" (also "Chinese kale") is the Americanized name of "kai-lan" (also "gai-lohn," "gai-lon" and "gai-lan"). The plant has…
"Urinalist" (urine/urinal + journalist) is a derogatory term used by someone who doesn't think much of journalists. "Urinalist" has been cited in print since at least 2000…
Thiamine or thiamin (vitamin B1) has been nicknamed the "morale vitamin" since at least 1939. Vitamin B1 is the "morale vitamin" because it improves mental attitudes and energy…
"Drama is life with the dull parts cut out of it" means that drama reflects life, but it's time-compressed with only the interesting parts left in. For example, a biographical film…
Thomas Lyle Merton's book, Malice in Blunderland (1973), provided a satirical view of bureaucratic jargon. One "law" has remained popular: IMHOFFS LAW: "The organization of any…
"Success is dependent upon the glands -- sweat glands" means that success comes from hard work ("sweat"). Several newspapers in 1931 published the line: "A physician says…
"You don't get ulcers from what you eat; you get them from what's eating you" is a jocular line that has been credited to Dr. Albert Cliffe since at least 1950 and to Austrian…
The Wall Street Journal's October 15, 2012 article, "'Boomerang' Home Seekers Become Eligible for Mortgages and Hit Market Again" by Conor Dougherty and Dawn Wotapka,…
"Speech is silver; silence is golden" is an old proverb that means that it's often better to say nothing at all. "Silence is golden, (but) duct tape is silver" is a jocular…
"Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out" is a joke from comedienne Phyllis Diller (1917-2012), who often joked about her poor cooking skills. The joke has been cited in print since…