Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
Economist Paul Samuelson used his Newsweek column of September 19, 1966 to show that the market and that economists often get things wrong: "Wall Street indexes predicted nine out of the last…
"The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent" (or, "The market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent") is a statement often attributed to…
"Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut" is an old business proverb that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and bumper stickers. The barber is in the…
"Yo-yos" (named after the still-popular 1920s toy of a disk on a string) is the name of a Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce) that resembles the toy, minus the string. A "yo-yo" has…
Compound interest is so amazing an investment concept that it's been called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Credit for "Eighth Wonder" has been assigned to Benjamin Franklin…
"Time in the market is better than timing the market" means that, over time, the stock market will yield successful returns. It is impossible to accurately time the market highs and lows.…
In politics, an "honest man" is often described as someone (a politician or a voter) who, when bought, stays bought. A "dishonest man" is someone who sides with the person who…
The four-line poem "A Wise Old Owl" is cited in print from at least 1883, but is of unknown authorship. A 1904 source (below) credits "the immortal poet Bromley." The wise old…
Kung Pao chicken (also spelled "Kung Po" on American menus) originates from the Sichuan Province of China, where it's called gōng bǎo (palace guardian). The dish is named after…
Pad Thai (less frequently spelled "phad Thai") is a noodle dish that has been cited in print in the United States since at least 1960, and that appeared in New York City's Thai…
"Fudge" (a candy) appears to have received its name at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1892-1893. The word "fudge" had long been an exclamation ("Oh, fudge!);…
"Buy land -- they're not making any more of it" is a statement that has been attributed to folk humorist Will Rogers (1879-1935) since the 1960s. The saying -- like almost all…
"Money doesn't grow on trees" (or, in a 19th century form, "Money don't grow on trees") is an old financial proverb meaning that money isn't made easily, simply…
Question: How do you make a small fortune on Wall Street?Answer; Start with a large one! This old joke is of unknown origin, but it dates at least to the 1950s. While it's been used to refer…
The charlotte russe (sometimes capitalized as "Charlotte Russe") has been called "Brooklyn ambrosia," although the Bronx also claims the dessert. In the first half of the 1900s…
Entry in progress. More digitized Canadian material due in about a month. -- B.P. Wikipedia: Canuck"Canuck" is a slang term for Canadians. HistoryThe term was coined in the 19th century,…
"Poverty pimp" is a term dating from at least 1970 to describe a person who claims to help people in poverty, but who actually helps himself or herself in the process. Often, a government…
The "White Russian" cocktail is made from vodka, coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua or Tia Maria), and cream. The "Black Russian" cocktail does not include cream. Heublein, Inc.,…
The "Black Russian" cocktail contains vodka and coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua or Tia Maria). The cocktail is cited in print from October 25, 1956, when this was printed in the San…
"Mexican Cranberries" is a name given to a dish of cranberry sauce, with jalapeño pepper jelly and cilantro. The recipe appears to have originated in Southern Living magazine in the…