Disco Diva
"Disco diva" is a term about as dated as "disco" itself. Whatever became of Studio 54? Grace Jones? 30 December 1977, New York Times, pg. C17:At Studio 54 (489-7667), the $40 a…
Smart Alec
Gerald Cohen did research on the New York City origins of "smart alec." A piece on "smart alec" appeared in a New York Times "F.Y.I." column in 2002. Gerald Cohen…
Lounge Lizards; Tea Hounds; Tango Pirates
"Lounge lizards" and "tea hounds" and "tango pirates" (and "gigolos") infested Broadway about the year 1917. These were men who frequented the tea rooms.…
Original New York Seltzer (from California)
"Original New York Seltzer" is from California. (FACTIVA news database)David Krenbrink: Soft Drink Messiah? By M. R. Annett and W. S. Annett 1,969 words 1 February 1986Bc Business Pg. 52…
“On Broadway” (1963)
"On Broadway" (1963) was recorded by the Drifters and was a big hit for George Benson. It's from the famed songwriting teams of Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and Mike Stoller and…
Porterhouse Steak
"Porterhouse steak" was allegedly first served at Martin Morrison's porter house at 327 Pearl Street in Manhattan, in 1814. Several stories from the late 1800s describe this in…
Gas House District
The "Gas House District" used to be around 18th street and east of First Avenue. There were actual gas houses there in the 19th century, but they have long since been removed. The term is…
New York Rangers (Tex’s Rangers)
The manager of Madison Square Garden was Tex Rickard. He saw how well the New York Americans hockey team did, so he started his own team. Newspapers (see 1935 citation) called the team…
MaHi (Marble Hill)
"MaHi" is "Marble Hill." You already know, of course, that "Washington Height and Inwood" is "WaHI." At the "WaHI" web site, "MaHi" has…
WaHI (Washington Heights & Inwood)
"WaHI" is a new term for "Washington Heights & Inwood," cited in print from at least 2003. It looks like something from Hawaii; some people pronounce it "Wa-HIGH"…
Manhattan Schist
"Manhattan schist" is the rock base that helps Manhattan's buildings stay up and reach toward the sky. Surprisingly, "Manhattan schist" is not listed in the recently…
B’way (Broadway)
"B'way" is shorthand for "Broadway." Walter Winchell used it quite often and many people think that he coined it or popularized it. In fact, "B'way" has been…
“Don’t Rain On My Parade” (1964, 1968)
The song "Don't Rain On My Parade" was in the Broadway musical (1964) and movie (1968) Funny Girl, about the New York performer Fanny Brice. Funny Girl had music by Jule Styne and…
Parsons Table
The "Parsons table" is often thought to have some religious connotation, but it's actually a product of the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Wikipedia: Parsons tableThe…
“Soup Nazi”
A November 1995 episode of the television situation comedy Seinfeld featured the "Soup Nazi." It was a fictional portrait of a real New York City soup man. 22 November 1995, Boston (MA)…
“Moon River” (1961); “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1995)
"Moon River" was written by Henry Mancini (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics) for the film Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). The film was based on a short story by Truman Capote and it…
Commercial Emporium
"Commercial Emporium" was perhaps New York City's first nickname. "Commercial Emporium" was applied even earlier than "Gotham." The commercial nickname was…
Hell’s Hundred Acres
"Hell's Hundred Acres" was the name for the area of SoHo, just before that name was used in about 1970. "Hell's Hundred Acres" was used during World War II, describing…
Cathedral of Commerce (Woolworth Building)
Before there was a World Trade Center, there was a Cathedral of Commerce. This was the Woolworth Building - the world's tallest when built. It is said that the Reverend S. Parkes Cadman…
Mason (Fruit) Jar
John Landis Mason, of Brooklyn, patented the "Mason jar" on November 30, 1858. Early jars were sold as "Mason fruit jars." It's still with us today. I've found ads in…