Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
New York University's Brennan Center for Justice issued a 2004 report, The New York State Legislative Process: An Evaluation and Blueprint for Reform, by Jeremy M. Creelan and Laura M.…
The borough of Brooklyn has been called "The Planet" in hip-hop slang since the 1990s. It's sometimes said that Brooklyn is the most diverse borough, although Queens could also be…
"Three men in a room" in Albany politics refers to the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader and the Assembly Speaker. No one else in New York state government matters except these three…
"Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made." This quotation had long been thought to have been from German ruler Otto Von Bismarck…
Coco bread is a Jamaican dish that has been popular in New York City restaurants since the 1970s. The Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery (founded in the Bronx in 1989, franchised since 1996) serves a…
What are subway warts? A 2004 blog post named the large bumps on the yellow strips in the subway (that warn people not to come too close to the edge of the platform) as "subway warts." In…
Dallas was called a "City of Hate" immediately following the November 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Some people reportedly cheered the assassination. The term…
Morir Soñando is Spanish for "to die dreaming," a Creamsicle-like drink popular at Dominican restaurants in New York City (such as the Caridad restaurants in Washington Heights). The…
Texas and Australia both boast about their large size, so it's no surprise that a Texas/Australia size joke appeared in the 1950s and is still told today. A Texan was visiting Australia.…
South Texas contains some large agricultural areas. "As goes South Texas, so goes the U.S. crop" is said to be an old saying, indicating that South Texas is the bellwether for American…
"You can get any legislator to vote for anything if you buy him a big enough steak" is said to be an old saying in Louisiana. However, the bribe of a "big enough steak" seems to…
Alaska became the 49th state in the United States on January 3, 1959. Alaska's great size meant that Texas was no longer the largest state in the United States -- as Texans have long liked to…
Deep-fried cookie dough (or deep-fried chocolate chip cookie dough or Texas-fried cookie dough) by Abel Gonzales won the best fried food award of the 2007 State Fair of Texas. Deep-fried cookie…
Deep-fried chocolate chip cookie dough was a hit at the 2007 State Fair of Texas, although deep-fried cookies had been served at other state fairs before this time. In 2008, Torchy's Tacos of…
Entry in progress -- B.P. rooterfandom Wikipedia: Fan (person)A fan, aficionado or supporter is someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking of a sporting club, person, group of…
"Texas T-shirt" is a (usually paper) disposable toilet seat cover, often found in the bathrooms of gas stations and restaurants. The term is derogatory and probably did not originate in…
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: MargaritaThe Margarita is one of the most common tequila-based cocktails, made with tequila mixed with triple sec and lime or lemon juice, often served with…
It's often said that the most dangerous place to be in the world is between a politician and a camera (or a microphone). You'll get crushed! U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-Kansas) said in 1995…
It's often said that the most dangerous place to be in the world is between a politician and a camera (or a microphone). You'll get crushed! U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-Kansas) said in 1995…
The exact date of when hot dogs were first sold at baseball games is not known. Some say that St. Louis Browns owner Chris von der Ahe (1851-1913) first served frankfurters at his St. Louis…