Walk-Up Apartment
A "walk-up" apartment has no elevator. (Oxford English Dictionary)walk-up, a. and n.A. adj. 1. Of an apartment, etc.: that has to be reached by stairs rather than by a lift. Also applied…
Beautiful People
"Beautiful People" was a popular term in the 1960s. It's said to have started in Vogue magazine. (Oxford English Dictionary)beautiful people orig. U.S. (occas. written with capital…
Dock-walloper
New York City was once known for its ports. A "dock walloper" is a loafer on those docks. (Oxford English Dictionary)dock-walloper (U.S.), a casual labourer engaged at docks and…
Iron Maiden or HEET (High Entrance/Exit Turnstile)
Did you ever go into the subway and see those metal bars in a revolving door-type entrance? That's an "iron maiden" or a "High Entrance/Exit Turnstile" (HEET). The HEETs…
Fare-beater
"Fare beaters" are those people who jump subway turnstiles and don't pay the subway fare. New subway technology has cut down on some types of "fare-beating," but it still…
La Playita (Little Beach)
"La Playita" (the Little Beach) is a strip of land along Viele Avenue in the Bronx, at Hunts Point. In 2005, Mayor Bloomberg announced improvements planned for the area, such as athletic…
“Bringer” show
New York City comedy clubs have developed "bringer" shows. A comedian must "bring" two or more paying guests. The more paying guest, the longer time on stage. This often results…
Jungle Alley (West 133rd Street)
"Jungle Alley" was West 133rd Street in Harlem, between Lenox Avenue and Seventh Avenue. Many night clubs, speakeasies and fried chicken restaurants were located there. "Jungle…
“Vogue” (1990)
Madonna's 1990 song and dance, "Vogue," was actually a New York City tradition that may have been started in Harlem many years before. It's from the fashion magazine, Vogue.…
Parthenon of Wall Street (Federal Hall National Memorial)
A statue of George Washington stands outside a Greek Parthenon-like building on Wall Street. It's the Federal Hall National Memorial, sometimes called the "Parthenon of Wall Street."…
Vote early! Vote often!
Where else could this come from but New York City, the home of, ah, honest elections? American HeritageDictionary of American Quotationsby Margaret Miner and Hugh RawsonNew York: Penguin…
Moscow on the Hudson (Upper West Side)
Moscow on the Hudson (1984) was a memorable movie that starred Robin Williams. For Republicans, the upper west side of Manhattan ("on the Hudson" river) is a bleak area, indeed. The…
“I’m really glad they made the Children’s Aid Society” (Children’s Aid Society jingle)
"I'm really glad they made the Children's Aid Society" is the popular jingle, available for listening on the Society's website. The Children's Aid Society began in New…
(Summer) Fancy Food Show
The Summer Fancy Food Show has been an annual event for the trade since 1955. http://www.specialtyfood.com/do/fancyFoodShow/LocationsAndDatesThe National Association for the Specialty Food Trade is…
NYC 2012 (RIP)
New York City made a bid for the 2012 Olympics, but lost to London. "2012" was promoted all over the city, even on the subways. Restaurants charged $20.12 for meals. Let the 2016 madness…
“The Beat of New York” (WKTU-FM)
WKTU-FM (103.5) used to be a country music station, but in February 1996 it became "the beat of New York." It's a nonstop dance dance dance. "The beat of New York" is…
“Over 18 Miles of Books” (Strand Book Store)
The Strand Book Store (the main location is Broadway and 12th Street) claims that it has "18 miles of books." It used to claim that it had "8 miles of books." That's a lot…
Industrial Business Zone (IBZ)
The "Industrial Business Zone" (IBZ) was announced by Mayor Bloomberg in January 2005, replacing the "industrial park."…
Keep New York Wet. Save Water (Dept. of Environmental Protection)
"Keep New York wet. Save water." This was the slogan promoted by the city's Department of Environmental Protection in response to the drought-like conditions of the 1980s. The signs…
Broadway Show League
In the 1950s, the cast of several Broadway shows played each other in a friendly game of baseball. They weren't quite the Yankees, but they were, perhaps, the Damn Yankees. The Broadway Show…