Off-Track Betting (OTB) & “Go, Baby, Go!”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, New York had a lot of problems. "The Big Apple" campaign was started to improve its image, but that can do only so much. You need money! Mayor John…
Cosmos (professional soccer team, 1971-1985)
The Cosmos represented not just a soccer team, but the face of American professional soccer. A team of international superstars was signed, most notably the great Brazilian star, Pele. Huge crowds…
Stumpkin (stout + pumpkin)
Heartland Brewery serves a "Stumpkin," or "stout" plus "pumpkin" ale. The only trademark for "stumpkin" appears to be for the name of a doll.…
“MONY MONY” (1968)
"MONY MONY" was a Billboard #3 hit for Tommy James & the Shondells in 1968. James was looking at the "MONY" (Mutual of New York) building when he thought of using that for…
Only the Strong Survive (Bronx, Brooklyn, or NYC slogan)
"The Bronx - Only the Strongest Will Survive" is a t-shirt saying. The same sentiment can be found in parts of Brooklyn. A University of Pittsburgh basketball player wrote "Only the…
“Get Met. It Pays” (Metropolitan Life)
Metropolitan Life (or, Met Life) has been in New York City for about 130 years. Its most popular representation is the Met Life building at 200 Park Avenue (formerly the Pan Am building). "Get…
“Curb Your Dog” and Pooper Scooper Law (1978)
"Curb Your Dog" signs began appearing in the 1930s in an effort to get the "dog dirt" off the sidewalks. In 1978, a "pooper scooper law" was created. Activist Fran…
Pantondo
Bond 45 (the new restaurant at the former Bond's clothing store on West 45th Street near Broadway) offers its trademark "pantondo." It's $22 for cheese bread, I guess.... 23…
Cross at the green, not in between
Remember "cross at the green, not in between"? The ads haven't appeared recently, but this silly rhyme stays with us! 8 October 1957, New York Times, pg. 37:JAYWALKING LAWPLANNED BY…
Reflecting Absence (World Trade Center Memorial)
"Reflecting Absence" by Michael Arad and Peter Walker was selected from over 5,200 entries in the World Trade Center Memorial Competition. http://www.wtcsitememorial.org/fin7.htmlMichael…
“We Bring the Caring Home” (Visiting Nurse Service of New York)
The Visiting Nurse Service of New York has a long, distinguished history (since 1893). The business slogan is a new once (since 1996). I've seen a lot of the visiting nurses, and I just wish I…
Baghdad-by-the-Bay (summary)
Herb Caen (1916-1997) coined the nickname "Baghdad-by-Bay" in his San Francisco newspaper columns. He was "Mr. San Francisco." Neither the San Francisco Chronicle nor the San…
“You’re fired!” (Donald Trump)
"You're fired!" is that trademark phrase of Donald Trump, the New York City real estate mogul and businessman. The phrase was used on the television show The Apprentice and became…
“Asthma Alley”
"Asthma Alley" was probably coined by Jerome Kretchmer, an environmental protection administrator, in 1970. Parts of the south Bronx, western Queens, and Harlem have all been called an…
MetroStars/Red Bulls (professional soccer team)
The MetroStars were formed after the 1994 World Cup revived interest in soccer. The team was sometimes called the "New York-New Jersey MetroStars." In March 2006, the team was renamed the…
Manhattan Truffle (Tartufo)
"Manhattan Truffle" has appeared on the dessert menus of a few restaurants. It sure looks and sounds like a "tartufo" to me. Why is this dessert called "Manhattan…
Knicks (NBA basketball team)
The New York professional basketball team is called the Knickerbockers, or Knicks. "Knickerbocker" was formally adopted in the summer of 1946, but "Knicks" was quickly applied…
“Now Anything’s Possible” & “The Place to Be” (Time Warner Cable)
I subscribed to Time Warner's "Road Runner" broadband service. The company's recorded phone messages told me that Time Warner was "The Place to Be." I took home the…
Freedom Tower (or, Pataki’s Pit)
"Freedom Tower" was coined by New York Governor George Pataki in April 2003. It's the building that is planned to replace the World Trade Center towers, destroyed on September 11,…
Giants (National League baseball team, now in San Francisco)
The "Giants" nickname has been much disputed through the years. It has been claimed that it was coined by manager Jim Mutrie (1851-1938). A date of June 3, 1885 is often given. Certainly,…