Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikiquote: Edmund BurkeEdmund Burke (1729-01-12 – 1797-07-09) was an Irish political philosopher, Whig politician, and statesman; he is regarded by many as the…
"Spandering" (Spanish + pandering) occurs when a someone (such as a politician) panders to a Spanish-speaking constituency. The politician might produce election literature half in…
A politician is sometimes "elected" to a first term in office, "re-elected" to a second term, and "re-re-elected" to a third time. New York City's two-term mayor…
"Something (is) rotten in the cotton" is a Southern expression meaning that something is wrong. U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) is credited with saying it. "Something…
A "charticle" is a "chart" that's also an "article." The term "charticle" was used in Forbes magazine since at least February 23, 1998. Forbes'…
"Calumny" means a misrepresentation that harms another's reputation. A "columnist" is a person who writes a column of news or opinion for a publication. "Columny"…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Word Spycocktailian (kawk.TAYL.ee.un) n. A person who is an expert at making cocktails; a master bartender. —adj. Example Citation:"Professor" Jerry Thomas,…
The New York (NY) Post daily newspaper has leaned conservative under owner Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. A common unflattering nickname of the newspaper (cited in print since at least…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Zazzle.comIf You're Not Outraged You're Not Paying Attention Bumper Sticker by ObamasLastDay Bumper Sticker for the Disgruntled Google BooksThe New Official…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Lipstick indexThe lipstick index is a term coined by Leonard Lauder, chairman of the board of Estee Lauder, used to describe increased sales of cosmetics during…
Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980), the eldest child of Theodore Roosevelt, allegedly commented in 1924 the U.S. President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) was so sour-looking that "Coolidge was…
Entry in progress -- B.P. WikiquoteAlice Roosevelt Longworth (12 February 1884, in New York City, NY - 20 February 1980, in Washington D.C), was the only daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikiquote: Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt, Jr. (1858-10-27 – 1919-01-06), also known as T.R. or Teddy, was the 26th President of the United States…
An "appointee" is someone who a political committee selects to run for a political office. A person who tries, but fails, to be an "appointee" might be called a…
"There ain't no justice" is a phrase that dates to at least the 1850s. "There Ain't No Justice" was the title of several "Moon Mullins" newspaper comic…
The term "pundit" applies to both men and women. Critics of U.S. president Bill Clinton in the 1998 Monica Lewinsky intern sex scandal included conservative commentators such as Ann…
"Not a dime's worth of difference" means that there is no difference. When comparing two products, one might cost a dime more; the more expensive product is expected to be better or…
"Wow Boys" was the nickname given to the 1940 Stanford Indians college football team that went undefeated and won the 1941 Rose Bowl. The use of the T-formation by the "Wow…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Word Spythugocracy(thug.AWK.ruh.see; th as in thin) n. Rule of a country or state by a group of thugs.(...)Earliest Citation:The cruise ship is another Pequod, or ship of…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Jewish World ReviewMay 7, 2009 / 13 Iyar 5769 We have just seen an episode of Gangster Government By Michael Barone Last Friday, the day after Chrysler filed for…