“From a Hot-Dog to a National Habit” (Nathan’s Famous)
Nathan Handwerker began selling hot dogs at Coney Island in 1916. Now, "Nathan's Famous" hot dogs can be purchased all over America and in some foreign countries. "From a…
Develop Don’t Destroy
"Develop Don't Destroy" was an early (2003) chant of the people who opposed the Nets building a new arena in downtown Brooklyn. It later (2004) became the name of an organization. 22…
“No justice, no peace!”
Al Sharpton's supporters often shout: "No justice, no peace!" You'll hear it outside of courtrooms. It appears that the chant comes from the Howard Beach racial incidents of…
Paralegal
The "paralegal" (or "para-legal") is not a lawyer, but helps lawyers as a "para-professional." The term began use in the 1960s. The New York Law Journal is not…
“The Man in the Brooks Brothers Shirt” (1942)
"The Man in the Brooks Brothers Shirt" was the title of a 1942 short story by Mary McCarthy. The title is famous, but the story itself is less so. The Brooks Brothers company used the…
Tree of Hope
The "Tree of Hope" in Harlem stood before the old Lafayette Theatre at Seventh Avenue and 131st Street. Actors who stood beneath it would gain employment. The tree was cut down in 1934 to…
Civic Virtue (Big Boy, Fat Boy, Rough Guy)
"Civic Virtue" is not to be confused with "Civic Fame" (the statue, modeled by Audrey Munson, on top of the Municipal Building). "Civic Fame" debuted in 1922 in front…
Senior Citizen
"Senior Citizen" was essentially coined in California in the late 1930s. The pensions for "senior citizens" became a political issue on the west coast in 1937 and 1938.…
“Wall Street” (1968)
"Wall Street" is a tap-dancing number that opens the musical Dames at Sea (1968). The musical is a 1930s parody; 'Wall Street" is direct homage to "42nd Street." The…
“Taxi” (1972); “Mr. Cab Driver” (1989)
Neither "Taxi" nor "Mr. Cab Driver" is a New York City song, but both are about taxi drivers (something New York is known for). Also, the singer-songwriters of both songs have…
Mugwump
"Mugwump" burst upon the political scene in the spring of 1884 after being used and explained in the New York Sun. A "mugwump" is a person from one party who supports a…
“We Are the People!” (1888-1889 champion baseball Giants)
The New York Giants won the National League championship in 1888 and again in 1889. The slogan, used and perhaps coined by Giants manager Jim Mutrie, was "We are the people!" Some sources…
“East Side Story” into “West Side Story” (1957)
West Side Story (1957) was originally East Side Story. The story of the Broadway musical and film West Side Story is detailed on the official website (see below). There is no grand song that says…
Crime Stoppers (577-TIPS); 267-RAPE; 374-DRUG; NYC-SAFE; COP-SHOT & more
"Crime Stoppers" began in the 1980s to fight crime. Crimes were re-enacted and publicized in the media, and a tips line (577-TIPS) was set up. People who gave helpful tips were rewarded.…
Republican Party (1854)
Wikipedia: Republican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by…
Tammany Tiger
Thomas Nast is also given credit for the Tammany tiger, and again, this is incorrect. Certainly, his November 11, 1871 Harper's Weekly political cartoon is perhaps the most famous in American…
Democratic Donkey
Thomas Nast, a cartoonist of Harper's Weekly, gets credit for the "Democratic Donkey," but credit should go to the New York Daily Graphic. The Daily Graphic's artist was Philip…
Republican Elephant
I generally agree that cartoonist Thomas Nast should get credit for the Republican elephant. His November 1874 Harper's Weekly illustrations are the clearest exaqmples we have. However, the…
GOP
"G.O.P." (or "GOP") for "Grand Old Party" (the Republican Party) was printed in the Wichita (KS) Weekly Beacon on November 39, 1881. There is some debate about who…
Grand Old Party
Both Democrats and Republican used "Grand Old Party." By 1876 and 1880, the nickname "Grand Old Party" shifted into Republican hands. The Democratic Party is older, however.…