An etymological dictionary

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

Brownstone Front Cake

"Brownstone front cake" is a very rich chocolate cake. It's said to resemble the "brownstone front" houses. The cake was popular in the late 19th century and probably began…

City for Sale

"City for Sale" refers to the purchase by Peter Minuit of Manhattan for an estimated $24 in 1626. In 1988, the Municipal Arts Society had an exhibit called "City for Sale." The…

Crumb-bum

A "crumb bun" is something you eat. A "crumb-bum" is a worthless fellow. Like the word "bum" itself (see the Brooklyn Dodgers' "bums"),…

Cheese Danish

it is not known if the "cheese Danish" (like the "Danish") comes from New York. 8 August 1942, Los Angeles Times, pg. A2:CHEESE DANISHFolks rave about this heavenly concoction…

Brooklyn Wooley

"Brooklyn Wooley" is a new breed of cat. http://www.newbreedcats.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=41Breed InformationType: Mutation New Breed -…

Street Smart & Street-Wise

"Street smart" perhaps started on the mean streets of New York City in the late 1950s-early 1960s. "Street-wise" is the slightly earlier term. (Oxford English…