The Big Apple:

An etymological dictionary

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

“Vodka is just awesome water”

"Vodka is just awesome water" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, buttons and posters. "Vodka is just awesome water" was first cited on…

Banana Ball (golf)

A "banana ball" in golf is a ball that is sliced into a curved path (like the shape of a banana). "Banana ball" has been cited in print since at least 1947. "Banana…

Banana Balls (crazy)

"Banana balls" is slang for crazy. "Bananas" -- without "balls" -- has long meant "crazy." Both "banana" and "balls" are part of a…

Chopstick-Straw (Soup Sticks)

Julian Lechner invented the product "Soup Sticks" (or "Chopstick-Straws") in 2013. The chopsticks are also straws, eliminating one extra utensil from the food table. Julian…

“Everything but the kitchen stove”

"Everything but the kitchen stove" is an expression that means absolutely everything (except one, such as a sink or stove that is attached to the house). The New York (NY) Herald…

Abovetexas (Oklahoma nickname)

The People's Cube blog, on October 18, 2013, posted the satirical story, "Oklahoma to change name to Abovetexas." The term "Oklahoma" is not politically correct, but…

Brooklynification

"Brooklynification" is a term that means an area is being gentrified and is suddenly hip and multi-cultured, like the borough of Brooklyn since the 1990s. "Burlington is currently in…