An etymological dictionary

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

“Break up the Yankees!”

"Break up the Yankees!" was the public cry against the 1920s Babe Ruth Yankee teams that almost always won. 10 July 1927, Chicago Daily Tribune, pg. A4:The well wishers would have the…

Deadhead

A "dead head" is someone who doesn't pay. Originally, it probably referred to a train passenger who didn't pay for a ticket, but it soon included nonpaying "customers"…

Snowflake (Fifth Avenue & 57th Street)

Each winter before Christmas, a huge snowflake of lights appears above the intersection at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. This snowflake of lights was first introduced in 1984. In 2002, it became…

Rushing/Working the Growler

The "growler" was a pail that men would send down to the local bar for more beer. In the 1880s. this was called "rushing the growler" or "working the growler." A…

Tammany Hall

(Oxford English Dictionary)Tammany a. The name of the central organization of the Democratic party in the City (formerly also in the State) of New York, located in Tammany Hall, in 14th Street, New…

Hamburger (a full etymology)

New York City's German immigrants helped to introduce "Hamburger steak" (later simply "hamburger") to America. Wikipedia: HamburgerAlthough Hamburg, Germany is credited for…

Sis-boom-bah (skyrocket cheer)

"Sis-boom-bah" is the sound of a skyrocket and quickly became a football cheer at Princeton University. Did it begin with New York's Seventh Regiment? The following is a post by Ben…

Double-Decker

Maybe the tour guides in those double-decker buses will kindly tell this to our tour visitors? (Oxford English Dictionary)double decker(...)b. 'A street-car having a second floor and seats on…

“White Shoe” Firm

New York has its "white shoe" firms. This old term (anyone wear white shoes anymore?) probably comes from Yale University. (Oxford English Dictionary)white-shoe slang (chiefly U.S.),…

Kosherfest

The annual Kosherfest has been held at the Javits Center, displaying kosher products. It hasn't always been held in New York City, but it seems to have settled in at the Javits Center.…

Hudson Heights

"Hudson Heights" is not to be confused with "Hudson Square." It's located near Washington Heights in northern Manhattan. "Longhill" is an older name for the area.…

Hudson Square

"Hudson Square" is a new name and should not be confused with "Hudson Heights." Hudson Square is located near SoHo. 18 April 1982, New York Times, pg. AS19:HUDSON SQUAREAN…

Pipe Layer

"Pipe layer" was a term popularly used in the election of 1840 (and probably before) for an illegal voter. The term possibly came from New York City in the 1830s. "Pipe layer"…