Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" is a famous statement of Karl Marx (1818-1883), written in 1875. "From each according to his gullibility, to each…
"Term Limits For Congress; 1 Term In Office and 1 Term In Jail" is a saying on coffee mugs (and other products). The saying has existed since at least 1992 (when term limits became a…
"If you don't stop lying about me, I'll start telling the truth about you" is used often in politics, usually credited to Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) from a 1952 presidential…
A political "war chest" is the amount of money a political candidate or a political party has raised to spend in an election ("the war"). A physical "chest" is not…
"The bull walks up the stairs and thee bear jumps out the window" means that a market drops ("bear") faster than it rises ("bull"). The saying has been cited in print…
"(When you) Get a hunch, bet a bunch" has been a gambling saying since at least 1937. The saying was also adopted by the racetrack, with this ending: "Get a hunch and bet a bunch --…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: HoosierHoosier (pronounced /ˈhuːʒər/) is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. State of Indiana. Although residents of most U.S. states typically…
The term "Christocrat" (Christian + -ocrat) has been used in Texas since at least 1994 and was popularized by the September 2006 profile of David Barton in Texas Monthly titled "King…
"Republitard" (Republican + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political left against the political right. "Republitard" has been cited in print since April 2002. Similar…
Legislation has its limits, and it has long been known that legislation alone cannot change the innate character of citizens. "You can neither legislate a man into virtue nor vice" was…
Professor Mabel Newcomer (1892-1983) told her Vassar freshman class in September 1935: "You are the generation about to come into control and must prepare for this responsibility. Do not fill…
"A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch" is a popular saying among people who aren't fond of consultants. Advertising executive…
"Everyone thinks politicians are corrupt, except the ones they vote for" (or "Every politician is corrupt except mine" or "Every Congressman is corrupt except mine")…
"Mumblecore" films have low budgets, unknown actors and often improvised scripts, with the actors seemingly mumbling their lines. Sound editor Eric Masunaga coined the term while at…
Newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) is credited with saying in 1899: "Every reporter is a hope and every editor is a disappointment." Pulitzer (the Pulitzer prizes are named…
"Flak" (anti-aircraft fire) became a widely used term during World War II. "If you're not catching flak, you're not over the target" (or "If you're catching…
"Don't let your mouth write a check (or "checks") your body (or "ass") can't cash" has been used in black English since at least the 1960s. Comedian Flip…
"Man proposes, (but) God disposes" is an old proverb, indicating that God is the final arbiter of proposals. "The governor proposes and the legislature disposes" is a state…
"Never trust a skinny chef" (or "Never trust a skinny cook") is a saying that has been printed on many images. The implication is that a skinny chef doesn't eat much of his…
Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821) wrote in 1811: "Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle merite." ("Every nation has the government it deserves.") De Maistre was credited with…