Gang Buster or Gangbuster
Before New York City had "ghost busters" it had "gang busters" or "gangbusters." The term probably originated in the 1920s with Captain Cornelius W. Willemse, who…
Human High Tide
"Human high tide" is another term for "rush hour." The difference is that the former term ("human high tide") concerns people and the latter term ("rush…
Knickerbotchers (Knickerbockers or Knicks nickname)
"Knicker-botchers" appeared in 2006 for the same bad New York Knick basketball team that was also called "Team Turmoil" and "Team Titanic." The nickname…
Studio Apartment
The "studio" (or "studio apartment") is all in one room. It's usually the name for the smallest living space you can buy -- even smaller than a one-bedroom apartment. The…
“Getting there is half the fun” (Cunard)
The Cunard Line stopped in New York City. The Cunard Building, at 25 Broadway, is worth a visit. Cunard's famous slogan was "Getting There Is Half the Fun." Wikipedia: Cunard LineThe…
Bir Zeit on the Hudson (Columbia University)
Columbia University has become known for outspoken professors, many of whom are agressively anti-American and anti-Israel. "Bir Zeit on the Hudson" has become (to some critics) a nickname…
Quinnipiac (“Q-poll”) & Marist polls
Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Connecticut) is famous for its "Q-Poll" of local politics and issues. The polling started about 1990. Marist College (Poughkeepsie, New York) began its…
Team Turmoil (1977 New York Yankees, 2005-06 New York Knicks)
The New York Yankees of 1977 and the following years were called "the Bronx Zoo" by some and "Team Turmoil" by others. However, that team of high-priced superstars usually won.…
Little Flatiron Building (Herring Lock and Safe Company Building)
The historic Flatiron Building is at 23rd Street and Broadway. The "little Flatiron Building" (the Herring Lock and Safe Company Building) is on Hudson Street, between 13th and 14th…
“One client at a time” (Morgan Stanley)
Morgan Stanley is one of the world's largest financial firms. "One client at a time" is its relatively new slogan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_StanleyMorgan Stanley was…
“Bullish on America” (Merrill Lynch)
The investment firm of Merrill Lynch is symbolized by the bull, representing a bull market. Its famous ad campaign stressed that Merrill Lynch is "bullish on America." Wikipedia: Merrill…
“When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen” (E. F. Hutton)
The investment firm of E. F. Hutton is now part of the Citigroup family. E. F. Hutton is still remembered for its catchy advertising slogan: "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen." The…
“We make money the old-fashioned way. We EARN it” (Smith Barney)
The old Smith Barney ads featuring actor John Houseman (famous as the law professor in the film and tv series The Paper Chase) featured the famous line: "We make money the old-fashioned way.…
“We build futures one success story at a time” (Stanley Kaplan)
Stanley Kaplan started test preparation in 1938 in his Brooklyn home. The development of standardized testing in the 1960s and 1970s made the business boom. Today, it is called simply…
Hindoo or Hindu (handball term)
"Hindoo" or "hindu" was a popular New York City term for "do-over." It started in handball and was used for when the ball went out of play. It's believed to be…
“World’s Most Popular Hotel” (Hotel Pennsylvania)
The Hotel Pennsylvania has been right opposite Penn Station since 1919. The phone number (see under "songs" on this website) is still PENnsylvania 6-5000. "World's Most Popular…
Yankees of Chess (Hunter College Campus Schools & Murrow HS)
Several New York City schools are so successful in chess tournaments that they've been called "the Yankees of chess." New York magazineMay 23, 2005 issue of New York Magazine(...)By…
Corned Beef and Cabbage (Jiggs dinner)
"Corned beef and cabbage" is a popular Irish dinner, and it's often served on St. Patrick's Day. In 1925, "corned beef and cabbage" was voted to be the favorite dish…
“Wizard of Moving” (Oz Moving & Storage)
Avi Oz founded Oz Moving & Storage in 1993. Taking a cue from the film The Wizard of Oz, the company slogan is "Wizard of Moving." The slogan has not been trademarked. (Trademark)Word…
“We Know the Neighborhood!” & “The Meat Supermarket” (Western Beef)
Western Beef is a Queens-based chain of meat supermarkets. 'We know the neighborhood!" is its (apparently un-trademarked) slogan. http://www.westernbeef.com/ As part of an effective…