1

Manifest Destiny

Image: Wayne Hollman

(1840s – Westward Expansion)

Coined in 1845 by journalist John L. O’Sullivan, "Manifest Destiny" justified America’s push westward, claiming it was the nation’s divine right and duty. Though sometimes controversial, it shaped the national mindset and defined 19th-century American expansionism.

2

Talk turkey

Image: Tyler Donaghy

(1800s – Rural America)

"Talking turkey" originally meant speaking plainly, especially during trade or bargaining sessions around Thanksgiving time. The phrase evolved from settlers' interactions with Native Americans and each other.

3

The whole nine yards

Image: Museums Victoria

(1940s – WWII era)

This phrase likely originated in World War II aviation. Fighter pilots reportedly gave "the whole nine yards" when they unloaded all their ammunition —about 27 feet of bullets. It now means going all out, and its roots in wartime tales made it a lasting piece of American lingo.

4

Cold turkey

Image: Andres Siimon

(1920s – Prohibition era)

"Cold turkey" first emerged in drug withdrawal circles during the 1920s, describing a sudden and complete stop, often painful and abrupt. It became more widespread during Prohibition, when people abruptly quit drinking.

5

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps

Image: Nathan Dumlao

(1930s – Great Depression)

Originally a sarcastic quip about doing the impossible, the phrase took on a new life during the Depression, urging Americans to self-rely and push through adversity. By WWII, it had become a proud motto for working-class Americans.

6

Loose lips sink ships

Image: John Kostyk

(1940s – WWII propaganda)

Created by the U.S. Office of War Information, this saying warned citizens and soldiers against careless talk that might aid enemy spies. It was one of the most effective propaganda slogans of WWII.

7

Duck and cover

Image: Stephen Cobb

(1950s – Cold War drills)

Coined in a 1951 civil defense film, this phrase taught schoolchildren to seek shelter from nuclear blasts. While its actual effectiveness was debatable, "duck and cover" captured the anxious era of nuclear tension. It’s since become shorthand for futile emergency preparedness.

8

Jump on the bandwagon

Image: Museums of History New South Wales

(19th century – American politics)

Originating in the 1848 campaign of circus showman Dan Rice, politicians literally used bandwagons to draw crowds. The term evolved as others "jumped on" to align with the popular cause. It now refers to any late but enthusiastic adoption of a trend.

9

Cut to the chase

Image: Jeremy Yap

(Hollywood – silent film era)

Early films often built up slowly, so impatient viewers and editors began saying, "cut to the chase" —the action scene. Now it means getting straight to the point.

10

Put a sock in it

Image: Denny Müller

(1920s – Gramophone era)

Before volume knobs, people muffled early gramophones by stuffing socks in the horn. The phrase quickly became slang for "be quiet."

1

Blue jay

Image: Mark Olsen

The blue jay is a beautiful bird with –as its name suggests– striking blue plumage. It also has white feather details and a sort of black "collar" on its neck. But it is not just a pretty face; it also has wonderful abilities.

Blue jays are excellent mimics . They can imitate the calls of other birds, especially hawks, in order to frighten and scare away predators. Nature is wise!

In addition, these birds that live in family groups have a great memory . Blue jays have been seen storing nuts far from where they originally found them and then returning to those locations later without much effort.

2

Bald eagle

Image: Mathew Schwartz

As one of America's most iconic symbols, the bald eagle makes an imposing impression just with its presence. It is one of the largest birds in the world, with a wingspan ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet and weighing between 3 and 6.5 pounds.

One of its most outstanding traits is its vision , considered by many experts to be 4 to 5 times sharper than human eyesight. This bird has such precise vision that it can spot its prey from several miles away while flying!

In addition to that, its hunting skills are exceptional. Bald eagles rarely fail to catch a snack, thanks to their large and powerful talons. Their prey can be quite large, as their grip strength can reach 400 pounds per square inch.

3

Pronghorn antelope

Image: David Thielen

Despite its common name, the pronghorn is not an antelope. In fact, it belongs to another family called Antilocapridae , exclusive to North America. Yes, they only exist here!

Pronghorns have several characteristics that make them unique, including their iconic horns . First off, pronghorns shed their horns every year (because who doesn't want to renew their outfit?). And, unlike many other species, it's not just the males that have horns; the females do too.

But here's its best feature: the pronghorn is nothing less than the fastest land animal in America, capable of reaching speeds of over 50 mph. And that's not all; this animal can sustain its speed for very long distances. A true runner!

4

American alligator

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The American alligator can measure between 13 and 15 feet long and weigh more than 900 pounds, making it one of the largest reptiles in the USA.

But its size is not the only thing that impresses. The American alligator, which inhabits the southeastern United States, has one of the fiercest and most powerful bites in the entire animal kingdom, reaching 2,980 pounds of pressure per square inch. Just picture that destructive power!

Biting so hard must have negative consequences for the teeth, right? True. But this is not a problem for the American alligator, as this reptile has the ability to regenerate its lost teeth more than 50 times in its lifetime!

5

Barn owl

Image: Bob Brewer

The barn owl is one of the several owl species found in America. Its most characteristic feature is its heart-shaped face. This distinctive quality is not only cute, but it also serves a purpose: it directs sound into the bird's ear cavities. The barn owl has exceptional hearing , allowing it to detect the smallest prey in the dark.

On the other hand, one of the most striking features of owls is their ability to rotate their heads about 180 degrees and, in some cases, even more. If you found The Exorcist disturbing, you don't want to watch videos of owls rotating their heads!

6

Wood frog

Image: Richie Bettencourt

The wood frog is a small amphibian native to the northeastern states, famous for the dark markings around its eyes. These markings are like a mask that extends, much like when someone's makeup smudges.

But this frog's appearance is not the only thing that distinguishes it. It also has an incredible skill: the ability to withstand freezing temperatures. And that's not all; during the winter, their bodies can actually freeze solid and then thaw out in the spring without sustaining serious damage. Amazing!

Although it is not Captain America, this ability allows the wood frog to adapt very well to temperatures as low as -10°F for several weeks.

7

Flying squirrel

Image: Saori Oya

Have you ever dreamed of flying through the sky like a superhero? Who wouldn't want that? There is a squirrel that has this advantage, which is why it is commonly called the flying squirrel.

Despite its funny name, the flying squirrel doesn't actually fly but glides through the trees. Even so, watching this small mammal deploy a membrane between its limbs to glide with great precision from the heights is impressive. In addition, they can perfectly regulate speed and direction during their ride through the air.

Have you ever seen one of these creatures?

8

Gila monster

Image: David Clode

There is only one venomous lizard in the U.S., and that title goes to the great Gila monster.

This lizard, naturally found in the southwestern regions of our country, has unique abilities that set it apart from other animals. The "monster" in its name is no coincidence: this lizard has a fearsome bite , capable of injecting painful venom. The Gila monster's venom is delivered through grooves in its teeth, something extremely rare for a lizard.

And there's more. This animal can go several months without eating! This is due to its slow metabolism , which allows it to survive even when food is scarce.

9

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake

Image: Leah Storme

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is one of the largest rattlesnakes that inhabit our country, reaching 6 feet in length and weighing around 10 pounds. Its characteristic diamond-shaped pattern on its back is what gives it its iconic name.

Besides having one of the most potent venoms among rattlesnakes, this snake has another important advantage. The diamondback rattlesnake has thermo-detecting pits. But what is that? They are tiny orifices located between its eyes and nose, which allow it to detect the temperature of its warm-blooded prey even in the deepest darkness.

10

American beaver

Image: Tim Umphreys

Beavers are amazing animals. These rodents that inhabit freshwater environments are like the architects of the animal world. They have impressive building skills, with dams being their primary type of construction.

The dams that beavers build with sticks, logs, stones, mud, and other materials from nature are designed to protect their community and lodges. Beavers' lodges are perfectly engineered, featuring underwater entrances that keep them isolated and safe, just like a natural bunker!

They are also excellent swimmers . They have an affinity for water and use it in very creative ways. For example, they slap their flat tails against the water's surface to alert their families when danger is near.

1

Daiquiri

Is it possible that our favorite vacation cocktail was originally a "medicine"? Back in 1898, an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox was working in the village of Daiquiri, Cuba. He mixed local rum, lime, and sugar to keep his workers refreshed and to ward off yellow fever.

This drink migrated to the States, becoming popular during the 1940s and 1950s, and a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and President John F. Kennedy . While Hemingway famously drank daiquiris in Havana, JFK later helped make the cocktail fashionable in American political circles. Rum brands like Bacardi and Captain Morgan helped make the cocktail a summer favorite, and the original recipe started to vary among bars and vacation spots.

2

Hamburger

Did you know one famous hamburger origin story points to a small town in New York? According to the Menches family legend, brothers Frank and Charles Menches were selling pork sausage sandwiches at the 1885 Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York, when they ran out of pork . A local butcher suggested ground beef instead. The brothers reportedly seasoned the beef with coffee, brown sugar, and other ingredients, then served it between bread with ketchup and sliced onions. The sandwich was said to be a hit, so they named it the "hamburger" after the town where the fair was held.

3

German Chocolate Cake

Don’t let the name fool you into thinking this recipe comes from overseas. This dessert was actually born in Dallas in 1957 when Mrs. George Clay sent the recipe to the local newspaper, the Dallas Morning News . The German part actually comes from Sam German, the man who developed the dark baking chocolate for Baker’s Chocolates Company back in the 1850s.

This cake quickly became a sensation at birthdays and other celebrations thanks to its coconut-pecan frosting. The confection eventually inspired similar cupcakes, brownies, and even an ice cream flavor.

4

Philly Cheesesteak

One of Philadelphia’s most famous foods started almost by accident. In 1930, Pat Olivieri was running a hot dog stand in South Philly when he decided to grill some chopped beef and place it inside an Italian roll for himself. A taxi driver nearby smelled it, asked for one too, and legend follows that the word spread quickly around the city .

Shortly after, melted cheese became part of the recipe —usually Cheez Whiz, provolone, or American cheese. Today, locals debate whether the best version is sold at Pat's King of Steaks or Geno's Steaks.

5

Hot Dog

Just like the hot dog itself has two main ingredients, its origin story also comes in two parts. Some people say the sausage came from Frankfurt, Germany, while others believe the wieners of Vienna, Austria, inspired it. Frankfurt even celebrated the sausage’s 500th anniversary in 1897 to strengthen its claim.

But how did the hot dog become an American favorite? Before the 1850s, people in New York usually ate frankfurters between two slices of bread. Around that time, Austrian baker Ignatz Frischman arrived near Coney Island, and he noticed how much the crowds loved the sandwiches. After opening his bakery, he created a long, soft roll made especially for the sausages, and street vendors quickly started using them .

6

S'mores

The first known recipe for the summertime classic appeared in a 1927 Girl Scout handbook, where campers were taught to roast marshmallows over a fire and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate.

Companies like Hershey's, Jet-Puffed, and Honey Maid helped turn s’mores into a must for campfire treats, and now, they can be made in ovens or microwaves with peanut butter or flavored chocolate.

7

Corn Dog

A hot dog dipped in cornmeal batter, placed on a stick, and deep-fried until golden brown. That is how a classic corn dog is made. During the late 1920s, one Minnesota family sold their version of the corn dog at the Oregon local fairs under the name "Pronto Pup" because they disliked the term "corn dog." Even so, "corn dog" became the most recognized name, especially after state fairs in Texas and the Midwest helped popularize it throughout the country.

They are staples at carnivals, baseball games, and amusement parks, and are usually adorned with mustard or ketchup . Also, newer versions use spicy sausages, cheese-filled batter, or mini bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.

8

Lobster Roll

One early story places its birth in a Connecticut restaurant during the 1920s, where warm lobster soaked in butter was served inside a toasted roll. Years later, Maine helped popularize a different version with cold lobster mixed with mayonnaise, and the debate between the two styles continues.

By the 1970s, lobster rolls had turned into a symbol of seaside vacations across the Northeast. People have them at seafood shacks, harbor towns, and summer festivals. Famous spots like Red's Eats became famous for lobster meat rolls, while others, such as Luke's Lobster, helped introduce the sandwich to the rest of the country.

9

Reuben Sandwich

The Reuben Sandwich has been part of a food debate for nearly a century. One version takes us to the 1920s, Omaha, Nebraska, where grocer Reuben Kulakofsky asked for a special sandwich during late-night poker games at a hotel . The other one says a New York deli owner was already serving something very similar around the same time.

No matter the truth, the sandwich was already appearing on menus by the 1930s with its mix of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread. It is a classic choice at American diners and Jewish-style delis.

10

Piña Colada

It first appeared in 1954 at the Caribe Hilton. Bartender "Monchito" Marrero, after trying different recipes, finally arrived at the rum, coconut, pineapple juice fusion we enjoy today.

Coco López and Malibu, both liquor brands, helped turn the drink into an easy, homemade one, enabling more flavors like strawberry, mango, or even banana. Also, as Caribbean vacations and cruise trips became popular during the second half of the 20th century, the piña colada started showing up at beach bars and resorts all over the country.