An etymological dictionary

Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases.

Tin Pan Alley (West 28th Street)

"Tin Pan Alley" was the name of the music publishing area of Manhattan on 28th Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue. Music publishers came to the area in the 1880s and began to leave…

Great White Way (Broadway)

"Great White Way" has been the most popular nickname for the Broadway theater district in New York City. "The Great White Way" was originally the title of a 1901 book by Albert…

Only in New York

The New York Times has published a book collection of its FYI columns titled Only in New York (2004). A big red apple is on the cover of the book, but "the Big Apple" is never answered in…