Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
A "big ask" is a big request made of someone -- a "big favor" to do a big, important job. This doesn't mean literally that the letters A-S-K are printed large, but there…
"I'm going to be more assertive, if that's OK/okay with you" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "I'm going to start being more assertive if…
"I'm going to be more assertive, if that's OK/okay with you" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "I'm going to start being more assertive if…
"Due to personal reasons, I need..." is a meme. "Due to personal reasons, I need a hug" is one popular version of the meme. Another version involves money. "Due to personal…
"Due to personal reasons, I need..." is a meme. "Due to personal reasons, I need a hug" is one popular version of the meme. Another version involves money. "Due to personal…
There is such a thing as "Take your daughter to work day," but why not a "Take your friend to work day"? "there should be a 'take your friend to work day' so we…
Many tortilla chips bags have little plastic windows so that a customer can see the chips, but potato chips bags usually do not have this window. This was posted on X/Twitter by Ron Iver on…
"Having nutrition information on a bag of Cheetos is like having dating tips on a box/pair of Crocs" is a jocular saying that has been printed on several images. Cheetos is a snack food…
"Having nutrition information on a bag of Cheetos is like having dating tips on a box/pair of Crocs" is a jocular saying that has been printed on several images. Cheetos is a snack food…
The television news in the 1960s used to be just a guy in a suit (such as American broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite). Today's news has obvious agendas. This was posted on X/Twitter…
Americans are supposed to keep the card with their Social Security number for their entire life. This sarcasm was posted on Reddit -- Mildlyinfuriating on March 8, 2024, and it received over 70,000…
For an emergency (such as a hurricane), many people stock up on food and toilet paper. However, they often eat the food before the emergency event. Eating the toilet paper before the emergency…
Dogs often bring a toy, and then take it back. This was posted on Threads by tonygravix on October 2, 2026, and it received over 29,600 likes: "I love when dogs bring you a toy and then…
"Engagement Chicken" led to "Marry Me Chicken," and other similarly named recipes. A woman who cooks such a dish for a man will impress him so much that they become…
In 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled many things, even lettuce. Some people felt like the joy in life was taken away. This was posted on Threads by breezebois on September…
It's not polite to insult coworkers and to call them stupid. "I can't call someone stupid at work, so I say 'walk me through your thought process'" was posted on…
It's not polite to insult coworkers and to call them stupid. "I can't call someone stupid at work, so I say 'walk me through your thought process'" was posted on…
"Pandemitard" is a portmanteau of the words "pandemic" and "retard." A pandemitard overreacts to pandemic information in the news, and overprepares and panics. The…
"Pandemitard" is a portmanteau of the words "pandemic" and "retard." A pandemitard overreacts to pandemic information in the news, and overprepares and panics. The…
The first few hours of work can be a difficult adjustment. This was posted on X/Twitter by H O N E Y on September 28, 2026, and it received over 66,000 likes: "the first 2 hours at work really…