your most sought word or phrase origins?

[Mullins, Bill AMRDEC]

>
> >list a few words or phrases or quotations for which (in your view)
the
> >etymology or origin is so far unknown or unsettled--the ones the
> >origins of which you would most like to know.
>
Here's one -- why is New York City called the Big Apple?

[/sarcasm mode off] [/ducking brickbats from Barry on]

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