Feast of San Gennaro
The Feast of San Gennaro is probably the worst time to visit Little Italy, but nobody asks me. It's been held on Mulberry Street since September 1926 and is one of New York's most…
Give me your tired, your poor (“The New Colossus”)
Emma Lazarus wrote "The New Colossus" poem in 1883. It was affixed to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in 1903. She did not coin the term "new Colossus." See the 1878…
“New York’s My Home” (1956)
"New York's My Home" (1956) was composed by Gordon Jenkins and performed by Sammy Davis, Jr. It contains the lyric "When you leave New York, man, you don't go…
Algonquin Hotel (“Gonk” & the “Round Table”)
The Algonquin Hotel, at 59 West 44th Street, was the place of the "Algonquin Round Table" or "Vicious Circle" of writers of the 1920s. It is believed that writer and wit Dorothy…
“When you leave New York, your next good meal will be in San Francisco”
Yes, there's good food in New York and there's good food San Francisco. Some say that you can get a good meal in New Orleans. See "Names and Phrases" for other ways to finish…
When you leave New York…
"When you leave New York..." There are many ways to finish this, but all generally tell you that you're not going anywhere special. "When you leave New York you are camping…
Limousine Liberal
"Limousine liberal" was Democratic candidate for mayor Mario Procaccino's epithet to then-mayor John Lindsay in the 1969 mayoral election. Lindsay was re-elected. "Limousine…
New York City Marathon
The New York Marathon (started in 1970) has grown into one of New York City's greatest sporting events. It's usually won by some runner from not from New York, but whatever.…
Freedom of the City
The "Freedom of the City" was an honor that has been replace by the "key to the city." It was a scroll that gave you citizenship privileges. Like the key to the city, it was…
Dakota
The "Dakota" apartment house, at West 72nd Street and Central Park West, is probably most famous today as the last residence of Beatle John Lennon. The building was finished in 1884. It…
Key to the City
New York City honors distinguished guests with parades and a "key to the city." It actually doesn't open anything. The most frequent recipients have been New York Yankees baseball…
English Muffin
The English muffin dates back many, many years. However, the English, oddly enough, called it simply a "muffin." Samuel Bath Thomas opened a shop in New York City in 1880 and helped to…
Gibson (cocktail)
The Gibson cocktail usually has gin, vermouth, and cocktail onions. There have been many theories about the name "Gibson." The 1904 date (below) rules out other Gibsons and might favor…
Bobbie Burns (cocktail)
The Old Waldorf Bar takes credit for the Robert/Bobbie/Bobby Burns Cocktail. I couldn't find early confirmation of this. This cocktail gets listed in cocktail books, but it has never been…
Rob Roy (cocktail)
In 1894, the opera Rob Roy opened around Herald Square. The old Waldorf Hotel was near Herald Square. It is probably correct that the "Rob Roy" cocktail began at the Waldorf in 1894 or…
“Second Hand Rose (From Second Avenue)” (1921)
"Second Hand Rose (From Second Avenue," with lyrics by Grant Clarke and music by James F. Hanley, was written for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1921. Fanny Brice sang this song - a follow-up to…
“Rose of Washington Square” (1920)
"Rose of Washington Square," with words by Ballard MacDonald and music by James F. Hanley, appeared in Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic (1920). The usual singer was Fanny Brice (portrayed…
Sea Gulls of the Sink (roaches); Rats with Wings (pigeons)
"Sea gulls of the sink" = cockroaches."Rats with wings" = pigeons. These are two colorful New York terms. The first ("sea gulls of the sink") has really just been used…
Stage-door Johnny
Following the "dude" craze in New York City of 1883 came the "stage-door Johnny." This character waited at the stage door for his gal to come out after the show.…
Collyer brothers (hermits)
Homer Lusk Collyer (1881-1947) and Langley Collyer (1885-1947) are the legendary recluse brothers of New York City. The lived in Harlem, secluded from the world in a house filled with junk. They…