Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"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…
Winston Churchill spoke in February 1950 about a “parley at the summit.” A “summit meeting” would come to mean a high-level meeting, such as one involving the president or prime minsters of…
Winston Churchill spoke in February 1950 about a "parley at the summit." A "summit meeting" would come to mean a high-level meeting, such as one involving the president or prime…
A "Demopublican" (Democrat + Republican) is someone who has traits of both political parties. "Demopublican" is used by those who often believe that there is no difference…
A "Republicrat" (Republican + Democrat) is someone who has traits of both political parties. "Republicrat" is used by those who often believe that there is no difference between…
Mail was delivered throughout New York City by a series of pneumatic tubes, from the years 1897 until 1953. The postal workers sending and receiving such mail were dubbed "rocketeers,"…
Entry in progress -- B.P. The Big MoneyWord of the Week“blind pools”By Caitlin McDevittPosted Friday, November 13, 2009 - 2:05pmThe Wall Street Journal had a report this morning about former…
A "corruptocrat" is a "corrupt bureaucrat." A "corruptocracy" is a form of government inhabited by corruptocrats. "Corruptocracy" has been cited in print…
"Fiscal cancer" is a term used to describe a government's budget deficits and its debt. Cancer has often been described as a "silent killer." Government debt has also been…
Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond streets has been dubbed "Antique Row" or "Antiques Row" (or "Antiques District") since at least 1975. About 30…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Answers.comIdioms: you get what you pay for Inexpensive goods or services are likely to be inferior, as in That vacuum cleaner fell apart in a year -- I guess you get what…
George Washington is often quoted with this statement: "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence — it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a…