Why is blue eyeshadow so common? [more inside]
posted on Jul 17, 2008 - 17 answers

What is the origin of these shirts? I have this shirt. i want to know where it comes from. not where it's made, but where in the world does this pattern and style come from? PatternShirt01.jpg PatternShirt02.jpg thanks!
posted on Jul 2, 2008 - 4 answers

Help me find out more about this gesture, where a person licks their finger and either points to the ceiling or draws a line in the air. [more inside]
posted on Jul 1, 2008 - 19 answers

Could someone name the artist who created http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4508/strangeza8.jpg, and the other images in the series? I know it was part of an art photography piece, but I can't recall the artist's name, or the link.
posted on Apr 21, 2008 - 6 answers

Why are we here? What started it all? What is the purpose of life? Where is technology taking us? What will happen to humans eventually? I'm looking for books that discuss the above questions. I don't want the readings to be too dry and textbook like. Thanks a bunch.
posted on Feb 23, 2008 - 23 answers

The origins of "Techno" - the earliest recorded use of the term. [more inside]
posted on Feb 8, 2008 - 18 answers

What's the origin of/meaning behind the idiom of inviting a lady to inspect one's collection of etchings as a (euphemized/veiled?) sexual proposition? [more inside]
posted on Jan 21, 2008 - 15 answers

Do Fedex Overnight packages have the location of origin postmarked or printed on them in any way? [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2007 - 16 answers

Does anyone know the origin of the phrase "not just another pretty face"? [more inside]
posted on Nov 3, 2007 - 5 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "we are all [blank] now"? The earliest 'famous' usage I'm aware of is Nixon's "we are all Keynesians now," but I don't know if that was really where it started.
posted on Jun 29, 2007 - 7 answers

Does the phrase "Please, not in the face!" (in reference to a metaphorical imminent beating) have a definitive, particular origin from a famous film or some other piece of pop culture? Or has it just sort of established itself from actual beatings?
posted on Jun 15, 2007 - 16 answers

I'm looking for the earliest appearance of the phrase 'swanning around' - To travel around from place to place aimlessly. [more inside]
posted on Apr 25, 2007 - 9 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "the beatings will continue until morale improves". Google has failed me on this, only the hive mind will save me.
posted on Mar 30, 2007 - 12 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "The future is now"?
posted on Oct 9, 2006 - 11 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "right up my (his, her, etc.) alley"??? Is it as simple as referring to being "in my neighborhood of expertise" or is there some sort of bowling reference going on? Google's letting me down here -- but maybe my search capacities are a little rusty.
posted on Jul 18, 2006 - 2 answers

What's the origin of the phrase "For those of you [playing/following/scoring] along at home?" [more inside]
posted on Apr 28, 2006 - 23 answers

What is the origin of "420" [more inside]
posted on Mar 5, 2006 - 9 answers

I've recently become obsessed with the origin of American sports team names. In particular, team names which make a specific reference to something unique in the history or culture of the team location. Does anyone know of an online list of this type of information? And also, anyone care to site any not obvious examples of this from American sports? [more inside]
posted on Nov 9, 2005 - 52 answers

What are the origins of the chant "it's your birthday, have a party" (repeat ad nauseam)? [more inside]
posted on Oct 6, 2005 - 25 answers

where is this robot from? It's driving me crazy! Me and a friend saw a guy with a tattoo of this robot on his back at this music festival and we both recognized it. Then I randomly saw that picture on some website. It can't be hitchhikers guide...i think the "don't panic" is just cause it's a home made shirt. Am I wrong? Make me look stupid though, I know you know where this robot came from!
posted on Jun 3, 2005 - 36 answers

How is the term is determined for a native, thing or resident of a place? For example, an American from America or Italian from Italy seems simple enough, but Glaswegian from Glasgow? Shouldn't it be Moswegian and not Muscovite? [more inside]
posted on Apr 13, 2005 - 37 answers

What is the Etymological origin of the phrase "And How!" used as an exclamation. [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2005 - 7 answers

What is the origin of saying shocked twice to indicate emphasis (e.g., "I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that you would insinuate such a thing.")? Googling just brings up examples of it in speech and no origin.
posted on Jan 14, 2005 - 29 answers

What is the origin of saying shocked twice to indicate emphasis (e.g., "I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that you would insinuate such a thing.")? Googling just brings up examples of it in speech and no origin.
posted on Jan 14, 2005 - 29 answers

Can I please get a definitive ruling on White Castle "slider" vs. White Castle "slyder"? Google tells me it's "slider" but I don't think that's right.
posted on Aug 8, 2004 - 11 answers

What is the origin of the quote: "Life is just a swirling, sucking whirlpool of despair, filled with brief flashes of false hope, in an ever-blackening universe." [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2004 - 20 answers

Meme origin question: The phrase "bow-chicka-wow-wow" has become the standard way to signify "porn movie music." I remember seeing a stand-up comic in the late '80s/early '90s who spoke that phrase, and that was what got my circle of middle schoolers using it, although I doubt that was the real progenitor. But it's too specific of an expression to have been developed independently. Thoughts?
posted on Feb 3, 2004 - 18 answers

What is the origin of the

1. Do one thing
2. Do another thing
3. ??????
4. Profit!

meme?
posted on Jan 13, 2004 - 6 answers