The Big Apple:

An etymological dictionary

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

Hurricane Cocktail (Hurricane Punch)

The Hurricane Cocktail is said to have been invented at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans, a bar that began in 1933. Whiskey had been in short supply during World War II, but rum was readily…

MaNo (Manhattan North)

MaNo (Manhattan North) is a sparsely used neighborhood nickname that appeared in 2008. A slightly more popular neighborhood nickname arising at about the same time for the same area is NoMa…

NoMa (Northern Manhattan)

NoMa (Northern Manhattan) began to receive buzz as a neighborhood nickname for Washington Heights and Inwood when a property at 175 Payson Avenue was offered in 2007 as "NOMA175." Not…

Texas Tapenade

"Tapenade" comes from the Provençal word for capers, tapéno; it is a dish of capers, olives, anchovies and olive oil. "Texas Tapenade" recipes have appeared in Texas Monthly…

Texas Goat Sauce

The city of Brady (located in the geographical center of Texas) has held a goat cook-off since 1973. Approximately 20,000 goats are raised in McCulloch County, making it one of the leading…

Southwestern Pimm’s Cup (cocktail)

Southwestern Pimm's Cup is a Texas twist of an old cocktail, invented at the Liberty Bar in San Antonio in the 1980s. The drink contains Pimm's No. 1, Ruby Red grapefruit juice and…

Texas Chowder (Texas Clam Chowder)

Chowder (especially clam chowder) is a New England dish. What is Texas chowder? On ABC's Nightline television program of September 17, 2008, someone who was cooking chili for the Texans…

Supermarket (Super Market)

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: SupermarketA supermarket is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments. It is larger in size and…

On the Border by the Sea (Brownsville slogan)

Brownsville in the lower Rio Grande Valley is close to the Mexico border and by the Gulf of Mexico. "On the Border by the Sea" has been a Brownsville slogan since 1966. In 2008, an…

Plattsburgh: Michigan Hot Dog

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Michigan hot dogA Michigan hot dog or, "Michigan", is a steamed hot dog on a steamed bun topped with a meaty sauce, generally referred to as…