The Big Apple:

An etymological dictionary

Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.

Aggie Punch

Aggie Punch is most likely named after the Texas A&M Aggies, although other "agricultural" colleges also use the Aggie nickname. The drink contains tequila, lime juice and…

Cosmoquila (cocktail)

A Cosmoquila cocktail is a Cosmopolitan cocktail with tequila instead of vodka. The Cosmoquila cocktail is cited in print since 2000 and has been promoted by the Casa Noble Tequila Company. Other…

Texas Wedgie

The Nickelodeon children's television show iCarly featured several "Texas wedgies" in 2008. A "wedgie" is when someone's undergarments are pulled up to wedge between…

Cube Steak

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Cube steakCube steak is a cut of beef, usually top round or top sirloin, tenderized by fierce pounding with a meat mallet, or use of an electric tenderizer.…

La Paloma (cocktail)

The Paloma (or "La Paloma," Spanish for "the dove") cocktail is similar to the Margarita, with both cocktails containing tequila. While the Margarita contains Triple Sec, the…

Caracas on the Hudson

"Caracas on the Hudson" is similar to "Moscow on the Hudson" (the title of a 1984 movie starring Robin Williams). It means that the values of Caracas (the capital and largest…

Mexican Caviar (ant larvae or escamoles)

Caviar is the processed, salted roe of fish (usually sturgeon). "Mexican caviar" is a nickname that has been applied to insect eggs in Mexico that resemble and that eaten similar to…

Mexican Caviar (huitlacoche or corn smut)

Huitlacoche (also spelled "cuitlacoche") is a corn fungus (corn smut) that has long been popular in Mexican cuisine. In the 1980s, huitlacoche began to be introduced into American…

Talk Turkey (Talking Turkey)

To "talk turkey" originally meant to say pleasant things to the listener. Over the years, however, the term "talk cold turkey" -- shortened to "talk turkey" -- meant…

Whoopie Pie (Whoopee Pie)

Whoopie pies (also spelled "whoopee") are often claimed to be a Pennsylvania Dutch treat, but dessert cookbook author Nancy Baggett found recipes in Pennsylvania cookbooks since only the…

Bakery

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: BakeryA bakery (also called baker's or bakehouse) is an establishment which produces or/and sells bread, pies, pastries, cakes & cupcakes, biscuits,…