Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases.
Texas lore holds that the legendary UT football coach Darrell Royal (1924-2012) said that there are three things that can happen when you pass the football, and "two of them are bad."…
The new Impact Festival runs from September 12-October 22, 2006 and features 2 weeks of dance, 19 plays, 24 films, 3 concerts, 6 exhibitions, and 10 debates. The goal is for a festival of theater,…
The NY City Center's "Fall for Dance Festival" began in 2004. The 2006 festival promises 10 performances, 6 unique programs, and 30 companies on 1 stage. Fall for Dance FestivalSep…
The New York Musical Theatre Festival was discussed in 2003 and made reality in 2004. It's been called "the Sundance for musical theatre," where productions can start off and find an…
The annual Williamsburg Jazz Festival was first organized in 2001. The September 10-17, 2006 Fourth Annual Williamsburg Jazz Festival provides a week's worth of events. Williamsburg Jazz…
The annual Richmond County (Staten Island) Fair began in 1979 and has a little bit of everything. The event benefits the Staten Island Historical Society and Historic Richmond Town. Historic…
"Breakfast of Champions" has been the slogan of Wheaties cereal from 1933. Menudo is tripe stew. For many people in Texas and New Mexico (with tough stomachs), menudo has also been called…
"Katz's Never Kloses" was the famous slogan of Katz's Deli and Bar, started by Marc Katz in 1979 at West 6th Street in Austin. It went 24/7 in 1983. There was also a Houston…
"Texas straw hat" is a recipe that's similar to Frito Pie. It contains corn chips (Fritos), plus beef, onion, celery, and more. The recipe dates from at least 1961. "Texas straw…
A "Texas bumper" is a large, chrome, flat-faced bumper that can be found on some trucks. Tim's Model Trucks2004 Peterbilt 379-119"BBC with 63" bunk. I modified an Italeri…
"Texas egg rolls" may have originated at the Original Roadhouse Grill, a chain of restaurants mostly on the West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) and not yet in Texas. A "Texas…
Texas tornado cake contains fruit and nuts, with coconut icing. It's not clear when this cake was invented, or where it's from. Some insist that "Texas tornado cake" is another…
Texas sheet cake is a brownie-like cake, only one-inch thick and often served on a cookie sheet. "Texas sheet cake" is recorded from the 1960s, but "sheet cake" is recorded…
A "Texas Timex" is a gold Rolex watch. A Timex is an inexpensive watch; a Rolex is an expensive watch. The joke is how Texans flaunt wealth. Rolex1905Hans Wilsdorf established a London…
"Texas Chicken" is the name of "Church's Chicken" in the Middle East, "church" being possibly objectionable. Church's Chicken was founded by George W.…
Merrick Pet Care makes a "Texas Taffy" beef jerky for dogs. "Texas Taffy" does not appear to be trademarked, however. Merrick Pet CareJr. Texas TaffyA Texas rendition of a treat…
A "Texas omelet" consists of eggs, onion, chili, tomato, and cheese. The term is somewhat new (with citations mostly starting from the 1970s) and recipes vary. Xrecipes.comLynn's…
The New York Super Boat Grand Prix began in 1992 and features boats in a 90-mile race. New York Sports CommissionNY Super Boat Grand PrixDate: September 8-10, 2006 Place: The Hudson River (Between…
El Paso has been nicknamed the "Sun City" because it gets over 300 days of sun each year. Many Texas cities have limited rainfall, so the nickname shouldn't be exclusive to El Paso.…
"Gig 'em, Aggies" (with a thumbs-up) is the yell at Texas A&M that was reportedly started by Pinky Downs ('06) before a football game with the Texas Christian University…