Sand Hog (Sandhog)
It's either "sand hog" or "sandhog." The men who built our bridges and tunnels have a name. Surpisingly, this doesn't appear in Irving Lewis Allen's City in Slang…
Danish Pastry
"Danish Pastry" got its name, and fame, in New York City. 13 October 1914, Fresno (CA) Morning Republican, pg. 9 ad:Danish PastryOur Danish Pastry is noted for an interesting variety of…
Steak Diane
Steak Diane is a tableside-flambéed dish. The steak is cut thin and often brandy or Madeira is poured over it, as well as a sauce of such ingredients as butter, mushrooms, mustard, shallots,…
Big Apple plaque (1996)
This Big Apple plaque was dedicated by me on May 14, 1996, at the Hotel Ameritania, 230 West 54th Street. It is one of a series of plaques in New York City put up by the Historic Landmarks…
Waldorf Salad
You're the top! You're a Waldorf salad.You're the top! You're a Berlin ballad.You're a baby grand of a lady and a gent.You're an old dutch master, You're Mrs.…
Manhattan Cocktail
The Manhattan cocktail (whiskey and sweet Italian vermouth) is supposedly named after the Manhattan Club, although this is in dispute. Early citations pre-1885 are hard to find, but there are a…
Witness (1998): Washington Post writer Shirley Povich
No one would help me to find living witnesses. No one in New York City and no one in New Orleans. Many people who could have contributed to this story are now dead. The New Orleans stablehands were…
1931: “Around The Big Apple” column
Turf Play, a Chicago periodical, probably provides us with a third John J. Fitz Gerald "Big Apple"-titled column. On November 7, 1931, page 15, is "Around The Big Apple, By Mr.…
1928: “On the Big Apple” column
In 1928, the New York Morning Telegraph ran a daily column of tidbits from the New York racetracks. Gerald Cohen spotted the first column. It is almost certain, given his long use of the term, that…
“Big Apple” date?: January 15, 1920
It is probable (although not certain) that we have almost the exact date for the "Big Apple" utterance by the New Orleans Fair Grounds stable hands. John J. Fitz Gerald wrote that he had…
Second “Big Apple” explanation: December 1, 1926
Above, the header from the 1924 newspaper column of John J. Fitz Gerald. Click to see a portion of the column which includes his use of "Big Apple." Part of a 1926 column is also…
First “Big Apple” explanation: February 18, 1924
Above, the header from the 1924 newspaper column of John J. Fitz Gerald. Click to see a portion of the column which includes his use of "Big Apple." Part of a 1926 column is also…
First “Big Apple” citation: May 3, 1921
Gerald Cohen found the first "Big Apple" in a John J. Fitz Gerald horseracing column. From the New York Morning Telegraph, May 3, 1921, page 9, column 3: J. P. Smith, with Tippity Witchet…
Bronx Cheer
The "Bronx cheer" is associated with the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The first two citations below probably don't apply, but possibly indicate that the…
Hero Sandwich
Hoagie, Sub, Grinder -- there are many regional sandwich names. New Yorkers have a "hero." The Italian sandwich -- before it was called a "hero" -- was popularized in the 1890s…
Thoity Thoid and Thoid (33rd Street and Third Avenue)
"Thoity Thoid and Thoid" (33rd Street and Third Avenue) is a quintessential example of "New Yorkese," but the phrase has not been historically recorded. This is from page 70 of…
Capital of the World
New York ity was popularly called the "Capital of the World" following World War II and the introduction of the United Nations. Former mayor Rudy Giuliani used this nickname far more…
Coney Island Chicken (hot dog)
"Coney Island chicken" has been a slang term for a "hot dog" since at least 1920. 20 July 1920, New York (NY) Times, p. XX2:Hot Dog Is Having Its Day:World's Most Popular…
“Go fight city hall” (proverb)
"Go fight city hall" or "You can't fight city hall" means to take on the powerful -- usually, a thankless and a futile task. "City hall" means the city…
Ground Zero
After the terrorism of September 11, 2001, the location of the World Trade Center was quickly and popularly called "Ground Zero." This term was coined many years before--after the atom…