Charter School
"Charter schools" were started in Minnesota in the early 1990s. They operate independently of the local school system, thus offering much-needed competition. (Oxford English…
“Take to the Water” (NY Waterway)
Ny Waterway operates a ferry service. Ferries used to be commonplace before our bridges, but now ferries are back, freeing Manhattan from having more cars. "Take to the water" is a slogan…
Taste of Times Square
The "Taste of Times Square" began in 1994 in, well, Times Square. It usually takes place on West 46th Street, between Broadway and Ninth Avenue (including Restaurant Row). The 2006…
Taxi (the word “taxicab” and the “yellow” color)
It has been said that Harry N. Allen coined the word "taxicab" in the fall of 1907, and that he also introduced the color "yellow" to his vehicles. I think that's wrong on…
Magnet School
The first "magnet school" was in Philadelphia in the 1960s, not New York. A "magnet" school specializes in something (science or performing arts or business, for example) to…
Big Lychee (summary)
Hong Kong and Shanghai are sometimes called the "Big Lychee." It was recently voted down as an official Hong Kong nickname, but it still might be used.…
Blue Zone
The "Blue Zone" is the area in lower Manhattan that has a blue line near the curb. Parking is not allowed Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The fine for parking here is $65, but don't…
XYZ Buildings
The "XYZ Buildings" are the three big boxes near Rockefeller Center on the Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue). Architecture critic Paul Goldberger wrote that they'll never be…
Black Car
The "yellow cab" takes street hails; the "black car" does not. Many executives have used a "black car" service, if only to the airport. The color of the vehicle is…
Landlord of Last Resort (New York City)
New York City has taken control of much abandoned property. City government is called "the landlord of last resort." It appears that this was coined by George Meany in 1967 to describe…
“Difference between NYC Council and rubber stamp is that a rubber stamp leaves an impression”
Henry Stern was a former New York City Councilman and Parks Commissioner and now runs NY Civic (www.nycivic.org). He said, some time in the 1960s, that the New York City Council was less than a…
Salute to Israel
Many "salutes to Israel" occurred in 1948 with the formation of the Jewish state. The programs held in New York City were particularly important in the formation of the modern state of…
Steuben Day Parade
The Steuben Day Parade in September celebrates German Americans, in honor of the Revolutionary War hero. General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben had been honored by New York State and had been the…
Pulaski Day Parade
The Pulaski Day Parade, held each October, is the celebration for Polish Americans. Count Casimir Pulaski served under General George Washington and helped establish America's first cavalry.…
Dominican Day Parade
The Dominican Day Parade began as a small celebration in Washington Heights in 1982. Now, it's held each August on Fifth Avenue and is one of New York's largest ethnic parades.…
Puerto Rican Day Parade
New York held a Puerto Rican Day Parade in 1958, and it's since become national, held in other American cities. In 1998, it was featured in an episode of the television show Seinfeld, for…
Skee-Ball
Remember Skee-Ball? From Coney Island, right? Maybe you've played it recently at a street fair? Actually, the game comes from Philadelphia, but that doesn't mean that Coney Island…
U. S. Open (tennis)
The U. S. Open (tennis) did not begin in New York, and it can probably be played anywhere in the United States. However, the first modern U. S. Open was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest…
“Wait ‘til next year!” (Brooklyn Dodgers)
The old Brooklyn Dodger chant (from when they were, barely, "still in the league") was "wait 'til next year." This phrase pre-dates the nickname "Trolley Dodgers"…
Gay Pride Week (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender PRIDE March; Moment of Silence)
"Gay Pride Week," held every June, is one of New York's most important festivals because it literally grew from New York itself. It commemorates the famous Stonewall Inn riots of…