Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"When you allow people to choose between the corrupt and the stupid, they will go for the corrupt" was said by Arthur J. Finkelstein, the New York-born political consultant, about the…
A "Likudnik" is a member of Israel's Likud political party (founded in 1973). "Likudnik" has been cited in English print since at least 1981. American (and especially New…
"If it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage" (or, "If it's not on the page, it's not on the stage") is a popular drama adage, used both on Broadway and…
The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) operates a store in Austin as part of the State Surplus Property Program. The TFC has dubbed the store "The Texas Treasure Chest" because of the many…
"Sabre-rattling" (also spelled "saber-rattling") is when a person or a government threatens to use force against another, just as a soldier rattles a sabre against an enemy.…
“I’ll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one” has been cited in print since at least September 2011 and was popularly used on signs in the Occupy Wall Street movement during…
The "pizza connection" or "pizza principle" is the New York City rule that the price of a slice of pizza is almost exactly equal to the price of a subway ride. The New York (NY)…
"Big Appleite” is the name of an inhabitant of New York City -- "the Big Apple." The name “Big Appleite” has been cited in print since at least 1977. An inhabitant of the Big…
"Big Appler” is the name of an inhabitant of New York City -- "the Big Apple." The name “Big Appler” has been cited in print since at least 1976. In 1937-38, "Big…
The Iowa caucuses provide the first presidential voting in the United States. The political proverb is that "three tickets come out of Iowa" -- the first, second, and third place caucus…
"Operation Chaos" was coined by conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh in March 2008, when he urged listeners to vote in the Democratic presidential primary for Hillary Clinton against…
"Guess the religion," popularized by Debbie Schlussel on her website, occurs when the news media -- following the Islamic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 -- doesn't identify…
The Wall Street Journal has been a financial newspaper since its founding in 1889. Writers at the libertarian website, LewRockwell.com, have accused the Journal of having a neoconservative foreign…
"Volume is the weapon of the bull" is a Wall Street adage meaning that bull markets rise on strong volume. "Trading volume, often called 'a weapon of the bull'" has…
Alan Moore's graphic novel V for Vendetta (1989) -- made into a 2006 film -- contained the line, "ideas are bulletproof." The film's ideas (including the Guy Fawkes mask) became…
"Practice makes perfect" is a proverb from at least 1730, frequently used in sports and other fields. The popular variation -- "Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice…
"Irvingite” is the name of an inhabitant of Irving, Texas. The name “Irvingite” has been cited in print since at least 1919. Wikipedia: Irving, TexasIrving (pronounced…
"Garlandite” is the name of an inhabitant of Garland, Texas. The name “Garlandite” has been cited in print since at least 1891. Wikipedia: Gardland, TexasGarland is a city in the U.S.…
"McKinneyite” is the name of an inhabitant of McKinney, Texas. The name “McKinneyite” has been cited in print since at least 1886. Wikipedia: McKinney, TexasMcKinney is a city in and the…
"Addisonian” is the name of an inhabitant of Addison, Texas. The name “Addisonian” has been cited in print since at least 1983. Wikipedia: Addison, TexasAddison is a city in Dallas…