Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"Remember the tea-kettle -- though up to its neck in hot water, it still sings" is cited in print from 1920. The saying was a popular one during the hard times ("hot water") of…
Tortilla chips are are small, crispy fried wedges of corn tortillas. In 2003, Texas declared "tortilla chips and salsa" to be the official state snack. The snack is often (but not always)…
'There's nothing new under the sun" is a phrase from the Book of Ecclesiastes. "The oldest word in politics is 'new'" is cited in print from at least 1998, when…
"We campaign in poetry, but when we're elected we're forced to govern in prose" said then-New York governor Mario M. Cuomo in a speech at Yale University (New Haven, CT) on…
"Buy with bread, sell with cheese" (also ""Buy on bread, sell on cheese") has been a saying in the wine industry in France, recorded in English since at least 1972. Cheese…
Hog packing houses have prided themselves about using almost all of the animal -- "everything but the oink." The phrase "everything but the squeal" dates to about the 1860s.…
The Condé Nast building at 4 Times Square in Manhattan has been called the "green giant" (since 1997; the building opened in 1999) because of energy-efficient or "green"…
A band that plays music at various functions (such as weddings) usually doesn't eat what the invited guests do. Sandwiches are often provided for the band, and these have been called…
"Let's do lunch" (meaning "let's get together for lunch and discuss this") was popularized from 1985 in the business speak of the entertainment industry in Los…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Kosher foodsKosher foods are those that conform to the rules of Jewish religion. These rules form the main aspect of kashrut, Jewish dietary laws. Reasons for…
The city of Clyde (Callahan County) promoted itself as the "California of Texas" in 1926-1927; the city nickname even appeared on a water tower. Clyde -- like California -- grows many…
A "hechsher" (also sometimes spelled "hechscher," but seldom "hecksher") is a certification marking on products (usually foods, but also kitchen cleansers, soaps and…
"An apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze" is cited in print from at least 1882. Both Yorkshire (where apple pie with cheese is a traditional dessert) and Sussex…
In 2006, Rick Fields (founder of "Rick's Picks" pickles) introduced "Smokra" -- pickled okra with smoked paprika brine. The new product quickly became a favorite and has…
Early visitors to Austin compared the city's geography to Rome. George W, Bonnell moved to Austin in 1836; Mount Bonnell is named after him. In 1840, Bonnell wrote: "Like the ancient city…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Epicurious.com: Food Dictionarypareve; parve[PAHR-uh-vuh, PAHR-vuh]A Jewish term describing food made without animal or dairy ingredients. According to KOSHER dietary…
Entry in progress -- B.P. About.com: Kosher FoodWhat is Glatt Kosher?By Giora Shimoni, About.comQuestion: What is Glatt Kosher?Answer: The technical definition of glatt kosher is meat from animals…
"Barista" is the Italian word for "bartender." By at least 1964 (according to an English citation below), the "barista" was a person in an Italian coffee bar who…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Epicurious.com: Food DictionaryslingAn alcoholic drink made with lemon juice, powdered sugar and a LIQUOR such as BRANDY, GIN, VODKA or WHISKEY. Slings are usually served…
"Gairville" was once the nickname of that area of Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, now known as DUMBO. Robert Gair (1839-1927) was a successful paper-box and paper-bag…