Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
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…
"Carrolltonian” is the name of an inhabitant of Carrollton, Texas. The name “Carrolltonian” has been cited in print since at least 1927. Wikipedia: Carrollton, TexasCarrollton is a city…
"Elginite” is the name of an inhabitant of Elgin, Texas. The name “Elginite” has been cited in print since at least 1887. Wikipedia: Elgin, TexasElgin ( /ˈɛlɡɨn/) is a city in…
"Marshallite” is the name of an inhabitant of Marshall, Texas. The name “Marshallite” has been cited in print since at least 1864. Wikipedia: Marshall, TexasMarshall is a city in…
"Katyite” is the name of an inhabitant of Katy, Texas. The name “Katyite" has been cited in print since at least 1962. Wikipedia: Katy, TexasKaty is a city located in Harris, Fort…
"Lake Jacksonite” is the name of an inhabitant of Lake Jackson, Texas. The name “Lake Jacksonite" has been cited in print since at least 1944. Wikipedia: Lake Jackson, TexasLake…
"Weslacoan” is the name of an inhabitant of Weslaco, Texas. The name “Weslacoan" has been cited in print since at least 1933. Wikipedia: Weslaco, TexasWeslaco is a city in Hidalgo…