An etymological dictionary

Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 38,000 entries.

Telethon

The first "telethon" was held in New York. The name comes from "telephone" (or "television" or "telecast") and "marathon." Viewers call in with…

Late Show & Late Late Show

The "Late Show" and "Late Late Show" were originally movies shown very late at night on CBS television (Channel 2). The terms date to 1951. David Letterman now hosts 'The…

Million Dollar Movie

Remember WOR Channel 9's "Million Dollar Movie"? Remember the theme music, from Gone With the Wind? Before Turner Classic Movies and Blockbuster, there was "Million Dollar…

Talk Radio

Talk radio was born in New York City. Barry Gray is credited as the "Father of Talk Radio." In the 1950s, Gray conducted his chatter on WMCA from midnight-3 a.m. at Chandler's…

Eyewitness News

"Eyewitness News" was a term that was first popularly used in reporting World War II. In the 1960s, it became applied to television half-hour local news programs. "Eyewitness…

Peacock Network (NBC)

NBC (originally the National Broadcasting Company) is sometimes called the "Peacock Network." The peacock symbolized the new color broadcasts and was introduced in the 1950s.…

Staten Island Sinker (spitball)

A "Staten Island sinker" is the late George Bamberger's term for a "spitball" pitch in baseball. Bamberger was born on Staten Island and would briefly play for the New York…

Manhattan Wiring (electronics)

"Manhattan wiring" is an electronics term. The wiring supposedly looks like Manhattan's grid system of streets. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_wiringManhattan wiring (also…

YAI Central Park Challenge

The annual YAI Central Park Challenge raises funds for people with disabilities. http://www.yai.org/about.cfmWelcome Since its inception in 1957, YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities…

Big Apple Field Hockey (BAHF)

The Big Apple has a field hockey organization. Several tournaments are held each year. http://www.bigapplehockey.com/public_html/Pages/about.htmlBAHF, Inc. (Big Apple Hockey) is a not-for-profit…

Little Cuba

Florida has neighborhoods called "Little Havana" or "Little Cuba." This one New York City citation below may be isolated. The term is not in use today.…