Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
The Texas Air Control Board (1965-1993) and the Texas Water Commission (1985-1993) were consolidated in 1993 to form the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). "TNRCC"…
"I've been thrown out of better places/joints/bars/restaurants/hotels than this!" is a humorous saying by someone getting removed from a location. Ferenc Molnár's popular…
"Heads in beds" is hospitality industry lingo meaning occupied hotel and motel rooms. Tourist boards representing a city's hospitality industry try to attract visitors to the city…
The New York (NY) Times is a daily newspaper that has been published in New York City since 1851. Although the newspaper's motto is "All the news that's fit to print,"…
The political term "charm offensive" probably borrows from the earlier political term "peace offensive," meaning an active movement (or "offensive") aimed at achieving…
"Uncle Scam" (Uncle Sam + scam) is an Uncle Sam nickname used by people who believe that the federal government is deceitful. Although the name "Uncle Sam" dates to 1812, the…
In boxing, there are weight classes so that boxers never "punch above their weight." In a street fight, however, a little man must "punch above his weight" to defeat a bigger…
"Finger-lickin' good" is the popular slogan of KFC restaurants (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken). "Finger licking" food is so good that one would rather lick…
'The camera doesn't lie" (or "the camera never lies") means that photographic evidence shows what something actually looks like. The old saying has been used since the…
"The camera adds ten pounds" is an old film and television adage that is still held by many. Camera angles and colors can make one to appear fatter or thinner. "The motion-picture…
How old should one be to play professional sports? The saying is "if you're good enough, you're old enough." When Major League Soccer's D.C. United signed 14-year-old…
"Play the ball and don’t let the ball play you" has been popular baseball fielding advice since at least 1902. If you "let the ball play you" by sitting back and waiting for…
"Realville" isn't any actual city or town, but it's an expression for a place that exists "in the real world" and has real world problems. Politicians and economists…
"Kill for show and pass for dough" is a saying that has been used in handball since at least 1999 and in racquetball since at least 2000. A "kill shot" contacts the front wall…
NPR (formerly National Public Radio) is funded, in part, with taxpayer dollars. Conservative and libertarian groups often insist that government has no role in funding a radio network. The NPR…
"Chocolate, men, coffee -- some things are better rich" is a humorous saying that has been printed on gift items such as coffee mugs and refrigerator magnets. The order of the three…
"Coffee keeps me busy until it's time to be drunk" is a humorous saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as coffee mugs and refrigerator magnets. The items have been…
"You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps" is a jocular sign that has been placed in many workplaces. "You don't have to be crazy to work here...but it…
"Tight for control, loose for power" is an adage for stringing a tennis racket or racquetball racquet, cited in print since at least 1983. The theory is that looser strings result in…
"Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have" is a popular employment adage, given to people looking for a job or hoping for a promotion from a present job. John T. Molloy's…