Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
A Christmas card message, cited in print since at least January 1992, has been printed on many images: "Every time a hand reaches out to help another, that is Christmas.Every time someone puts…
Being a "backup-up singer" has nothing to do with backing up a car, but there are jokes. "Like many people, I sing in the car, but only when I put it in reverse. I'm a back up…
The expression "fight dirty" means to engage an enemy using questionable tactics. It doesn't usually involve dirt, but there are jokes. "The first rule of mud wrestling is fight…
There are no scallops in scalloped potatoes -- but there are jokes about this. "There's a disappointing lack of seafood in scalloped potatoes" was posted on Twitter by Eat 24 on…
A superstition in the theater is, supposedly, that on the closing night of a show, the director and/or leading lady receives a bouquet of flowers stolen from a graveyard. This supposedly brings…
Entry in progress -- BP Toby SimkinTheatre Superstition The Last LineIt has been considered bad luck to say the final line of a show before it opens. Therefore, many rehearsals skip the final line…
"I wish I was as thin as my patience" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "i wish i were as thin as my patience" was posted on Twitter by (((Nicole Aimée…
"You can be a night owl AND an early bird if your sleep schedule's messed up enough" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "You can be a night owl AND an early bird…
"You can be a night owl AND an early bird if your sleep schedule's messed up enough" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "You can be a night owl AND an early bird…
People at a bus stop often ask how long the wait until the next bus will be. "How long will the next bus be?" they ask. "Same length as this one" is a joke reply from the bus…
There are no scallops in scalloped potatoes -- but there are jokes about this. "There's a disappointing lack of seafood in scalloped potatoes" was posted on Twitter by Eat 24 on…
Wiktionary: chew the sceneryEtymologyIts earliest reference is listed in the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang as being used by Mary Hallock Foote in Coeur D'Alene in…
The stage direction "Exit, stage left" was the catchphrase of the cartoon lion Snagglepuss, whose cartoons appeared on The Yogi Bear Show in the 1960s. The line indicated that Snagglepuss…
An "11 o'clock number/song" -- also called a "10 o'clock number/song" -- is a showstopper, usually sung by a musical's star as the second-to-last song in the…
"Don't make me use my director voice" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. Directors have power in movies and in the theatre. "Don’t Make Me Use My…
Soy sauce has been described by some people as like drinking salt. "Felt like I was drinking salt/soy sauce... *brrrrr...* =P" was posted on Twitter by YJ Tan on May 18, 2009.…
"It's not multiple personality disorder, it's a theatre degree!" (also given as "I don't have a multiple personality disorder. It's a theater degree" and…
"It's not multiple personality disorder, it's a theatre degree!" (also given as "I don't have a multiple personality disorder. It's a theater degree" and…
"We're not strange. We're dramatically different" and "I'm not strange. I'm dramatically different" and "We are not strange. We are dramatically…
"We're not strange. We're dramatically different" and "I'm not strange. I'm dramatically different" and "We are not strange. We are dramatically…