Little Senegal
The area of 116th Street in Harlem is called "Little Senegal" because of the many African immigrants in the area. The 2002 film Little Senegal helped to establish the name.…
ORIGINAL 9-11 SONG: “We Will Stand Together (United We Stand)”
Where is our 9-11 song? Where is the music video? I will always remember the first "Saturday Night Live" after 9-11. Could New York laugh again? Mayor Rudy Giuliani was there to open the…
Miss Brooklyn (proposed Brooklyn skyscraper)
"Miss Brooklyn" is the proposed Frank Gehry-designed 60-story skyscraper on the Atlantic Yards site. The nickname comes from Gehry himself.…
Manhattan Solstice (Manhattanhenge or Sensational Sunset)
The "Manhattan Solstice" is when the sun is in perfect alignment with Manhattan's "grid" street pattern. You can stand on any street that runs perfectly east-west and see a…
Subway Shmutz (Schmutz) Survey
The Straphangers Campaign of the New York Public Interest Research Group issues an annual "Subway Shmutz" (Yiddish for "dirt," and also spelled "schmutz") survey.…
Brooklyn International Film Festival
The Brooklyn International Film Festival is much younger than the New York Film Festival. It's not the Cannes (France) Film Festival yet, but it's more local.…
Mafrika Festival (Music of Africa)
The Mafrika Festival is a new festival that could grow into an annual event. It celebrates African culture in New York City with the music and arts of Africa.…
“There is only one and this is it” (Carnegie Deli)
Carnegie Deli (near Carnegie Hall) is famous for its large sandwiches. Its slogan ("There is only one and there is it") is less famous. There is a Carnegie Deli is Las Vegas, so…
“Where Chili-Pepper Lights Meets Christmas-Tree Lights” (Panna II Indian Restaurant)
Panna II is an Indian restaurant with the unusual slogan: "Where Chili-Pepper Lights Meets Christmas-Tree Lights." Don't ask. http://www.panna2.com/index.html"Where Chili-Pepper…
“Eat Objectively. Live Rich” (Fountainhead Cafe)
"Eat Objectively. Live Rich" is the slogan of the Fountainhead Cafe. The name and slogan are both an homage to writer/philosopher Ayn Rand. Wikipedia: Ayn RandAyn Rand (IPA: [aɪn…
“Service with a smile”
It's not known when the "service with a smile" slogan was first used, but it appears in an ad for the Abraham & Straus (A&S) store as early as 1915. 28 November 1915, New…
United We Stand (9-11 slogan)
"United We Stand" appeared almost immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks (see Google Groups posts below). The saying has appeared on badges with an image of the World Trade…
“New York’s Most Fabulous Self-Service Restaurant” (Belmore)
The Belmore restaurant that used to be on Park Avenue South at 28th Street was "New York's Most Fabulous Self-Service Restaurant." It was famous with taxi drivers and was featured in…
“Live a Little Better” (LeFrak City)
The 1960s slogan of LeFrak City in Queens has been "Live a Little Better." The slogan can still be read daily by the thousands of people who drive by each day. About.com"LeFrak City:…
SOHO candy bar (from Turkey)
There is a "SOHO" candy bar that is popular in Turkey. The wrapper shows tall buildings, like New York City. The chocolate candy bar is not sold in the United States. Does anyone have a…
Big Olive (Thebes, Greece nickname)
The 1997 Disney animated movie Hercules called ancient Thebes, Greece, by the nickname "the Big Olive." A character said: "One town, a million troubles. The one and only Thebes. The…
Big Apricot (summary)
New York City is "the Big Apricot" in a Superman comic where the city is also called "Metropolis." Wikipedia: Metropolis (comics)Over the years, Metropolis' features have…
Cinderella City
New York City is "Cinderella City" in one comic. Wikipedia: Metropolis (comics)Metropolis is frequently depicted as being within driving distance of Gotham City, home of Batman. DC has on…
BLT (BMT) Sandwich (bacon, lettuce and tomato)
The BMT sandwich (Bacon Mit Tomato) was named after the NYC subway line at least as early as 1936. Subway restaurants trademarked its "Italian B.M.T." sandwich (sliced Genoa salami,…
Fat City
"Fat City" was the title of a book and a movie. The slang term ("easy street in fat city") meant to be well off. It is not known where this originated. "Fat" meant…