The Big Apple:

An etymological dictionary

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

Sailgating (sail + tailgating)

"Sailgating" (sail + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. Sailgating can involve any boat -- not just sailboats. The tradition…

Boatgating (boat + tailgating)

"Boatgating" (boat + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. The tradition appears to have started at the University of…

Sterngating (stern + tailgating)

"Sterngating" (stern + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. The tradition appears to have started at the University of…

Walmartization

Walmart is a retail chain of large discount department stores. "Walmartization" can mean the coming of a Walmart store to a geographical area. "Walmartization," however, is most…

Compost Cookie

Momofuku Milk Bar (various locations) trademarked the name "compost cookie" from November 15, 2008. The popular cookie contains potato chips, pretzels, butterscotch and chocolate chips,…

Bank Speak

"Bank speak" is bank lingo that bankers understand, but many customers don't. "Bank speak" has been cited in print since at least 1983. "Bank speak" was…

Foodfucked or Food Fucked

American chef, author, and television personality Anthony Bourdain hosted the CNN show Parts Unknown; the May 5, 2013 show was about the food of Quebec. On Tumbr in the article "Foodfucked in…

Idiot-Maker Rally

There is the Wall Street term of a "sucker's rally" -- a brief run-up in stocks that "suckers" fall for. The blog Business Insider ran the story "The Nine-Month Idiot…