“Tom’s Diner” (Nov. 18, 1981; 1984, 1987)
Suzanne Vega included the song "Tom's Diner" in her 1987 album Solitude Standing. However, the a cappella folk song has been performed by Vega in public at least since 1984. The…
“I’ll have what she’s having!”
Katz's Deli, 205 East Houston Street. Meg Ryan. Billy Crystal. When Harry Met Sally... (1989), directed by Rob Reiner, with a screenplay by Nora Ephron. Harry and Sally are seated. Sally fakes…
Big Tomato (summary)
Sacramento, California came in late to the act. "Big Tomato" and "Sacratomato" both probably date from the late 1970s, well after "Big Apple" and even "Big…
Inner Circle
The "Inner Circle" is the long-running satirical show where political writers and politicians make fun of themselves. The 1997 drag appearance of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will long be…
Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut)
New York's "tri-state area" is almost always New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Some times in the past, Connecticut might have been dropped for Pennsylvania or Delaware. An old…
“The only way to see New York” (Circle Line)
The Circle Line runs sightseeing cruises around Manhattan, and to other points. It's been in business since 1945. "The only way to see New York -- Circle it on the Circle Line" is…
Golden Apple (Dept. of Health award)
The Golden Apple Quality Improvement Initiative was started in 2005 by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Outstanding food service establishments receive a "golden apple" award…
No Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets
Fiorello La Guardia (1882-1947) is famous for saying that "there is no Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets" in New York City. In other words, that there's "only…
“The Projects” (public housing projects)
People live in "the projects" - not their science projects, one would hope! The term dates to the 1930s and the "public housing projects" started at that time. 2 March 1939, New…
“There’s Only One New York” (NY1 News)
Cable channel one (ny1.com) is "NY1," Time Warner cable's 24-hour news channel devoted to New York City. It's popular for its "weather on the ones" updates.…
311 (non-emergency call)
311 was introduced in 2003 to handle non-emergency calls and take the burden off 911. It helps callers to make New York City understandable. Too much noise in the neighborhood? Call 311. Fire? Call…
“YESSSSS!”
Marv Albert is known for his Madison Square Garden broadcasts of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, although he's signed for next year to broadcast the New Jersey Nets basktball team.…
“Let’s go to the videotape!”
Warner Wolf did the evening sports for several newscasts for many years. His catchphrase was "Let's go to the videotape!" to cue the sports highlights. 20 January 2005, New York…
PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson); THE (Trans-Hudson Express tunnel)
"PATH" is the "Port Authority Trans-Hudson." It's not bad, as acronyms go. The Port Authority could have stopped there, but now there's-- "THE," the…
Garden State (New Jersey nickname)
"Garden State" is the nickname of New Jersey. Chicago was called "City in a Garden" or "Garden City" from the 1840s, and Illinois became known as the "Garden…
Iron Pipeline (I-95)
Interstate-95 is called the "Iron Pipeline" because it's used to smuggle guns into New York City from the South. It's believed that the term originated in Georgia. 11 October…
Olympics (NYC 2012), the Big Apple, and the “Public Advocate” disgrace
"Public Advocate" Betsy Gotbaum is against the Olympics and seeks to kill it because the mayor is for it. Is this what we need a "public advocate" for? Does she have any ideas…
Betsy Gotbaum and the fictional “Big Apple whores”
Betsy Gotbaum was elected Public Advocate in 2001. In 2004, I created this website for the Big Apple Fest. I had told the Big Apple Fest directors that the "whore theory" was a freely…
Mark Green and Audrey Munson (“Civic Fame”)
Mark Green was elected "public advocate" in 1993 and again in 1997. His term limits (two terms) were up and he unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2001, losing to Michael Bloomberg. In the…
Adding “public advocate” to the OED
"Public Advocate" is not in the Oxford English Dictionary. OED is currently revising the letter "P." I'm putting "public advocate" in the dictionary! "Public…