What is the origin of the phrase "in the not-too-distant future"? [more inside]
posted by unregistered_animagus on Oct 9, 2009 - 10 answers

Calling all Marvel readers! I've got a question about Daredevil's origin that my own Marvel nerdiness has failed to answer! [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeak on Aug 4, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm trying to locate the origin of the phrase "The righteous man champions the lost cause, knowing that all other causes are just merely events." [more inside]
posted by victoriab on Apr 15, 2009 - 2 answers

Are these blurred-out shots of the Jonas brothers authentic? If not, that's some darn good photoshopping. [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on Mar 1, 2009 - 7 answers

My father asked me. Figured I could find it, quick. I've used google et al and can't seem to lock down anything but a likely country of origin, Spain(?)... Still, the question is: Where can Ojen liqueur be purchased in the US? But any details regarding its origin/production (/existence?) would probably be useful.
posted by justrobin on Jan 12, 2009 - 5 answers

Where does the phrase "open nosed" come from, and what exactly does it mean? [more inside]
posted by skechada on Dec 16, 2008 - 8 answers

Who are the actual people Senator Clay Davis (a character in the HBO show The Wire) is based on? [more inside]
posted by 8699oriel on Nov 12, 2008 - 4 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "by the balls" as in: "He's really got you by the balls."? [more inside]
posted by sciurus on Oct 2, 2008 - 14 answers

Why is blue eyeshadow so common? [more inside]
posted by FuManchu 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 by karl88 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 by asras 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 by Zampa 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 by iceman7 on Feb 23, 2008 - 23 answers

The origins of "Techno" - the earliest recorded use of the term. [more inside]
posted by urbanwhaleshark 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 by juv3nal 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 by dkleinst on Nov 6, 2007 - 16 answers

Does anyone know the origin of the phrase "not just another pretty face"? [more inside]
posted by girlpublisher 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 by Urban Hermit 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 by so_necessary 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 by tellurian 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 by bumpkin on Mar 30, 2007 - 12 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "The future is now"?
posted by sholdens12 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 by punkbitch 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 by AgentRocket on Apr 28, 2006 - 23 answers

What is the origin of "420" [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah 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 by peppermint22 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 by kmel 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 by freudianslipper 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 by geckoinpdx on Apr 13, 2005 - 37 answers

What is the Etymological origin of the phrase "And How!" used as an exclamation. [more inside]
posted by Megafly 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 by trey 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 by blueshammer 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] [more inside]
posted by y6y6y6 on Jul 10, 2004 - 19 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 by blueshammer 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 by jpoulos on Jan 13, 2004 - 6 answers