Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
The Waffle House and IHOP (International House of Pancakes) have been serving breakfast all day ("breakfast anytime") since the 1950s. Jack in the Box has served breakfast all day since…
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan said: "Back then (before 1981 -- ed.), government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps…
Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979-1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975-1990. In a speech to the Conservative Party Conference on October 10, 1975,…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Cube steakCube steak is a cut of beef, usually top round or top sirloin, tenderized by fierce pounding with a meat mallet, or use of an electric tenderizer.…
The Paloma (or "La Paloma," Spanish for "the dove") cocktail is similar to the Margarita, with both cocktails containing tequila. While the Margarita contains Triple Sec, the…
"Caracas on the Hudson" is similar to "Moscow on the Hudson" (the title of a 1984 movie starring Robin Williams). It means that the values of Caracas (the capital and largest…
Caviar is the processed, salted roe of fish (usually sturgeon). "Mexican caviar" is a nickname that has been applied to insect eggs in Mexico that resemble and that eaten similar to…
Huitlacoche (also spelled "cuitlacoche") is a corn fungus (corn smut) that has long been popular in Mexican cuisine. In the 1980s, huitlacoche began to be introduced into American…
Huitlacoche (also spelled "cuitlacoche") is a corn fungus (corn smut) that has long been popular in Mexican cuisine. In the 1980s, huitlacoche began to be introduced into American…
"Hairbag" (also "hair bag" and "hairbagger") is slang for a veteran police officer. The exact meaning of the slang term (cited in print since 1958) is unknown, but a…
To "talk turkey" originally meant to say pleasant things to the listener. Over the years, however, the term "talk cold turkey" -- shortened to "talk turkey" -- meant…
An old joke is the one about the diner who went into a restaurant and asked: "Do you serve crabs here?" The quick-witted waiter replied: "We serve anyone. Sit down." The joke…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Lemon lawLemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.…
Wine bars started in France; they weren't called "wine bars," but countless places in France serve wine. Beginning by at least the 1940s, wine bars began to be established in London.…
Whoopie pies (also spelled "whoopee") are often claimed to be a Pennsylvania Dutch treat, but dessert cookbook author Nancy Baggett found recipes in Pennsylvania cookbooks since only the…
"When a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick" is a line from the 1964 Broadway musical (and 1971 movie) Fiddler on the Roof. The line is often given as a Yiddish proverb or a…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: BakeryA bakery (also called baker's or bakehouse) is an establishment which produces or/and sells bread, pies, pastries, cakes & cupcakes, biscuits,…
The "Bronx Seedless" grape (or "Bronx Grape") was named in 1936-1937 and was developed by Dr. A. B. (Arlow) Stout of the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, NY. The grape…
Apple cider donuts (or "apple cider doughnuts," frequently shortened to "cider donuts"/"cider doughnuts") showed up in New York City's Greenmarkets since at least…
An old adage (dating to at least the 1820s) is: "Turkey boiled is Turkey spoiled;And Turkey roast is Turkey lost;But Turkey braised is Turkey praised." By at least 1866, this became:…