Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"When/If your outgo exceeds your income (then) your upkeep is your downfall" is a common sense phrase for a person to live within his or her means. The phrase is cited in print from at…
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation introduced "Pearl" (a cartoon squirrel) as its mascot in an April 2010 event. There was a contest, but the Parks Department went…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Smoke-filled roomIn U.S. political slang, a smoke-filled room is a secret political gathering or decision-making process. The phrase is generally used to…
Texas Stadium opened on October 24, 1971 and was demolished on April 11. 2010. Kraft Foods, Inc., paid $75,000 to sponsor the demolition event and and 11-year-old essay contest winner helped to…
"Texas: illegally acquired; universally admired" has appeared on a list of humorous "Texas slogans." The slogan has been cited in print since at least 2005. "KingYaba"…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.Capitol Hill, aside from being a metonym for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighborhood in…
The Log Cabin Republicans is a group that supports the Republican Party and advocates for gay and lesbian rights. The group began in California in 1977 and defeated the Briggs Initiative (a…
"Corruptican" and "corrupticon" both refer to a "corrupt" politician. A "corruptican" usually refers to a "corrupt Republican."…
"Leaders don't create movements, movements create leaders" is a political quotation that doesn't have an obvious source. "Popular movements create leaders" is cited…
Harlem's Savoy Ballroom was located between 140th and 141st Streets and Lenox Avenue (Sixth Avenue), and was in operation from 1926-1958. The Savoy was known as a dancing venue, with the…
Silver is sometimes called the "poor man's gold" because silver is cheaper to buy. The term "poor man's gold" was used in 1932 by Rene Leon, but other metals (copper,…
New Orleans has been called the "Crescent City" since at least 1835. The "crescent" refers to the curve of the Mississippi River. Joseph Holt Ingraham (1809-1860) probably…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Jan L. A. van de SnepscheutJan L. A. van de Snepscheut (1953 – 1994) was a computer scientist and educator.UnsourcedIn theory, there is no difference between…
"Gubment" has been a black dialect word for "government" since at least 1861. "Gubmint" has been cited in print since at least the 1940s. Both terms are frequently…
"Librul" is a mock misspelling of the word "liberal," meant to imitate Southern speech. The spelling "librul" is often used by liberals themselves, to parody how…
Ciudad Juárez (across the Rio Grande from the Texas city of El Paso) achieved the nickname "murder city" in 2010, with the publication of the book Murder City: Ciudad Juárez and the…
"Drive by media" or "drive-by media" (DBM) is an unflattering nickname that conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh applied to the "mainstream media" (MSM) since…
"State run media" or "state-run media" (SRM) is an unflattering nickname that some have applied to the "mainstream media" (MSM). Totalitarian states (such as the…
"Uncle Sugar" means the "United States" (U.S.), taken from the slang names "Uncle Sam" and "sugar daddy." The slang "sugar" means…
Paul Volcker (a former chairman of the Federal Reserve) has said that he's no fan of fancy financial products (such as the "credit default swap"). In December 2009, Volcker addressed…