The Big Apple:

An etymological dictionary

Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.

Melody Lane (West 28th Street)

"Melody Lane" was another name for what is now called "Tin Pan Alley," where the song publishers assembled on West 28th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Melody Lane got…

Harmony Row (West 28th Street)

New York City has had two different places that went by the name of "Harmony Row." "Harmony Row" was the name for the music publishers assembled on West 28th Street, between…

Tin Pan Alleyite

A "Tin Pan Alleyite" is someone who worked on the historical Tin Pan Alley on West 28th Street, or who works with a Tin Pan Alley-type of music publisher, or is a fan of Tin Pan…

Great White South (Antarctica)

The Arctic and later the entire country of Canada have been called the "Great White North." "The reports that Lord Lonsdale was frozen to death in 'the great white…

Overdoughse (overdose + dough)

"Overdoughse" (overdose + dough) is a jocular word to describe what might occur from eating too much cookie/pizza dough. "Approaching cookie overdoughse" was posted on Twitter…