Mason (Fruit) Jar
John Landis Mason, of Brooklyn, patented the "Mason jar" on November 30, 1858. Early jars were sold as "Mason fruit jars." It's still with us today. I've found ads in…
Mecca of Telephone Men
Around 1900, when the telephone was new, New York City was the "mecca of telephone men." The nickname was rarely used then and quickly died, but it's sometimes given in lists of New…
Frog and Toe
"Frog and Toe" was a 19th century underworld nickname for New York City. Not much is known about it and it appears to have been rarely used. The term "Frog and Toe" was defined…
Con Ed or Con Edison (Consolidated Edison)
Con Ed? Continuing Education? Convicted? Conniving? A convention of guys named Ed? New York gets its energy form a company named "con"? "Con Ed" stands for "Consolidated…
“Fame” (1980)
"Fame" was written by Michael Gore (music) and Dean Pitchford (lyrics) and performed by Irene Cara for the movie Fame (1980). The movie was about New York's High School of Performing…
“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” (1981)
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (1981) was written by husband and wife team of Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, and was performed by Christopher Cross. It was the theme…
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are a combination of basketball and vaudeville. The club began in the 1920s as the Savoy Big Five -- in Chicago! The frequent, hapless opponent of the team is the…
Death Avenue; Slaughter on Tenth Avenue
"Death Avenue" was the nickname of Eleventh Avenue, from about 1890. It got its name from New York Central train accidents. Previously, Fourth Avenue had been "Death Avenue."…
Boulevard of Death (Queens Boulevard)
Queens Boulevard has been called the "Boulevard of Death" from its many 1990s fatalities. It takes a long time for a pedestrian to cross the street, and the cars pass by quickly. 23…
Parkway
Thanks to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, we drive on a "parkway." We also park on a "driveway," but that's another story. Merriam-Webster's dictionary has 1887 for…
Wigstock
"Wigstock" is an annual drag festival. http://www.wigstock.nu/history/history.htmlHISTORY OF WIGSTOCK Late one night in the spring of '84 a drunken group of friends, seeking more…
Millionaires’ Row (Fifth Avenue)
Fifth Avenue was called "Millionaires' Row" by around the year 1900 because many rich people lived there. Nowadays, however, the average price of a home in Manhattan is a million…
Double Dutch
The jump-rope game of "Double Dutch" was probably invented in New York City, cited from at least 1895. "Double Dutch" tournaments were re-introduced in New York City in 1974.…
PSAL (Public Schools Athletic League)
The Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL, at www.psal.org) was formed over 100 years ago. It still holds school athletic competitions, but it now also includes girls. 25 November 1903, New York…
PAL (Police Athletic League)
"PAL" (the Police Athletic League) started in the Depression and is still going. Supposedly, it all began in Tuckahoe, New York?…
Big Brothers (Big Sisters)
The "Big Brother" organization got its start in New York City in 1904. The organization now includes "Big Sisters." The honorary street sign on East 30th Street and Third Avenue…
Golden Gloves (boxing)
The "Golden Gloves" amateur boxing competitions began in New York City in 1927. The competition has been long associated with the Daily News (sponsor) and Madison Square Garden…
Big Apple Circus
The Big Apple Circus began in 1977, during the 1970s revival of the "Big Apple" name. It is still going. Wikipedia: Big Apple CircusThe Big Apple Circus is a circus based in New York…
Setters (Pace University teams)
Pace University has a campus on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, although the athletic teams are mostly from Pace's Westchester campus. The team nickname is the Pace Setters. Too bad…
Maccabees (Yeshiva University teams)
Yes, Yeshiva University has a sports team. It's called the Maccabees. 16 November 1975, New York Times, pg. 242:YESHIVAThe return of all five starters gives Yeshiva hope for bettering 5-14…