Harlem Shuffle
Shuffling in Harlem was popularized by the very successful African American musical revue Shuffle Along (1921). The revue starred Josephine Baker (1906-1975), who was described by a newspaper in…
Harlem Shake (2001 dance)
The Harlem Shake, according to an 2003 interview by Inside Hoops by a man named "Al B" who developed his drunken shake in 1981 and performed it at the Entertainer's Basketball…
Harlem Shake (2013 videos)
The Harlem Shake is a dance video that became popular in February 2013. Baauer - Harlem Shake (Rip) is a YouTube video that was published on April 8, 2012, but it didn't contain the dance. The…
Pearl Diver (a person who washes dishes)
"Pearl diver" is a nickname for a person who washes dishes -- someone who "dives" for dishes in hot, greasy water. 'Pearl diver" has been cited in print since at least…
A la Minute
À la minute is a French cooking term meaning "at a minute." Restaurants that prepare food à la minute prepare food when it is ordered, and often such foods are prepared in front of the…
Quesarito (quesadilla + burrito)
A "quesarito" (quesadilla + burrito) is a cheese quesadilla wrap with burrito fillings. Taco Bell had filed for a trademark for "quesarito" in 1986, but the trademark protection…
Crushtomer (crush + customer)
A "crushtomer" (crush + customer) is a customer who someone working at the store has a crush on. The term "crushtomer" has been cited in print since at least March 2008, when it…
Sipster (sip + -ster, hipster)
A "sipster" (sip + -ster, hipster) is someone who sips. An 1896 dictionary of slang included "sipster" with other term describing someone who is drunk; a 1995 slang dictionary…
Meal Ticket
A meal ticket is a ticket that entitles the holder to eat. "Meal ticket" has been cited in print since at least 1831, when it referred to the tickets given out on boats. A "meal…
“Draw for show and follow for dough” (billiards adage)
"Draw for show, follow for dough" is a saying that has been used in billiards since at least 2000, when it was the title of an article by Tom Simpson. A "draw" is a difficult…
“As safe as the Bank of England”
The Bank of England was established in 1694. The bank's reputation was like that of its country; the bank was thought to be so safe that "as safe as the Bank of England" was a well…
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra”
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra" is a motivational saying that has been printed on posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1982…
“A” Game
An "A" game is a player's best efforts, the very top of his or her game. A player who plays very well is said to have brought his or her "A" game to the contest. The term…
“People don’t give to causes; people give to people with causes”
"People don't give to causes; people give to people with causes" is an adage of charitable giving. There are many worthy causes, but people give money when they can connect a person…
“Ask for money and you get advice; ask for advice and you get money”
A fundraising adage says that if you ask for money, you get advice instead. However, if you ask for advice, you'll eventually get money. "Don't simply ask for money. Ask for…
Presser
A "presser" is a press conference. "Newser/presser—a press conference" was defined in a 1994 book about the media. "Presser" less frequently means a press release.…
“Broke as a joke”
To be "broke as a joke" is to be very broke -- and that's no joke. The rhyming expression "broke as a joke" has been cited in print since at least 1997. It's not known…
Sally Soccer-mom
A "soccer mom" is a mother of a child who plays soccer; the term has been cited in print since at least 1973. Soccer moms became a much-talked-about demographic in the 1996 U.S.…
Smokeasy or Smoke-easy (smoke + speakeasy)
A "speakeasy" was a place where alcoholic drinks were illegally sold. The term "speakeasy" means that customers should inquire secretly about the illegal product;…
Nicotini (nicotine + martini)
Many restaurants and bars throughout the world have banned smoking to eliminate second-hand smoke. Some enterprising individuals decided to try to put nicotine directly into the food and drinks.…