The Big Apple:

An etymological dictionary

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

“Icing on the cake”

"The icing on the cake" means something great adding on to something that is already good (such as the cake). The expression "icing on the cake" can also refer to something…

Froyo (frozen yogurt)

"Froyo" (frozen yogurt) is a brand name that has become a generic name. Froyo machines operated in drive-ins in March 1977; Froyo was sold in supermarkets by at least October 1977. In the…

SOS (sauce on the side)

"SOS" is a famous distress signal. In restaurant lingo, "SOS" means "sauce on the side" -- that is, sauce on the side of the plate and not directly on top of the food.…

Brooklyn Blackout (ice cream)

Steve's Ice Cream of Brooklyn introduced a flavor in 2011 called "Bklyn Blackout." The ice cream --an homage to Brooklyn's famous blackout cake -- is described as "Milk…

Tasty Tuesday

"Tasty Tuesday" is an eating/drinking slang name for a day of the week. Food and/or alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Tasty Tuesday” has been cited in…

Tanked Tuesday

"Tanked Tuesday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Tanked Tuesday” has been cited in print since at…

Twisted Tuesday

"Twisted Tuesday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Twisted Tuesday” has been cited in print since at…

Sloppy Saturday

"Sloppy Saturday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Sloppy Saturday” has been cited in print since at…

Smashed Saturday

"Smashed Saturday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Smashed Saturday” has been cited in print since at…

Sloshed Saturday

"Sloshed Saturday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Sloshed Saturday” has been cited in print since at…

Trashed Tuesday (Trashy Tuesday)

"Trashed Tuesday" (or "Trashy Tuesday") is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Trashed Tuesday”…

Shunday

"Shunday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. "Shunday" is a day when drinks are shunned. The term "Shunday" was listed as a day of an alcoholic's…

Mojito Monday

"Mojito Monday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Mojito cocktails are served, often at a reduced price. "Mojito Monday" has been cited in print since at least…