Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Alexander Fraser TytlerAlexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee (15 October 1747 - 5 January 1813) was a Scottish-born British lawyer and writer. His son was…
"Republicant" (or "Republican't") is a slang name for the Republican party, used by speakers who believe that the "Republicans can't" do things. The term…
The Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009 was criticized by many as "government-run healthcare" or "socialized medicine." Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (a Republican…
"Demoncrap” is a slang name for the Democrat party, used by speakers who believe that the Democrats are "demons" who are full of "crap." The term “Demoncrap" dates…
"Democrap” is a slang name for the Democrat party, used by speakers who believe that the Democrats are full of "crap." The term “Democrap" dates in print to at least the…
The term "dinosaur media" originally meant the print media (newspapers and magazines), as opposed to the "new media" (websites and blogs). The term "dinosaur media"…
"Rethuglican" (or "Rethug" for short) is a slang name for the Republican party, used by speakers who believe that the Republicans act like "thugs." The terms…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia; Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a list of religious and moral imperatives that, according to Judeo-Christian tradition, were authored by…
It's often said that newspapers publish "the first (rough) draft of history." Washington (DC) Post publisher Phil Graham (1915-1963) is frequently credited with the saying, but he…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikiquote: Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (13 April 1743 – 4 July 1826) was the third president of the United States (1801–1809), author of the Declaration of…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikiquote: Winston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can) (1874-11-30 – 1965-01-24) was a British politician. He was Prime…
"Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it" is a quotation often attributed to Mark Twain (1835-1910), but he never said it. The…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikiquote: Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (13 April 1743 – 4 July 1826) was the third president of the United States (1801–1809), author of the Declaration of…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Inferno (Dante)Inferno (Italian for "Hell") is the first part of Dante's Divine Comedy. The poem was written in the early 14th century. It is an…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809), the principal author of the…
"You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it" is a saying often attributed to American pastor Adrian Rogers (1931-2005), who used it in a 1998 book. The saying appears in print by 1935-36…
JINO ("Jewish In Name Only" or "Jew In Name Only") refers to a person who has a Jewish family name, but who doesn't follow Jewish traditions or who doesn't support…
A "Texas switch" is to replace one object with another (similar, but usually inferior) object. The term "Texas switch" is of unknown origin and does not appear to have many…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google News Archive13 April 1983, The Dispatch (Eatonville, WA), "Ohop stand supported by WPPSS exec.," pg. 1, col. 5:"If the people lead, the leaders will…
A "Republocrat" (Republican + Democrat) is someone who has traits of both political parties. "Republocrat" is used by those who often believe that there is no difference between…