Potsy
"Potsy" is the New York City term for the game of "hopscotch" (or a variant of this game). "Pot" has been cited since at least 1884 and "potsie" since at…
Manhattan Distance
"Manhattan distance" is a mathematical term based on the grid system for Manhattan's street. (Oxford English Dictionary)Manhattanattrib. Math. Designating geometries, graphics, etc.,…
New York dressed (poultry)
"New York dressed" is a term for poultry that seems to have appeared about 1902. It is poultry that is "rough plucked," with the feathers removed and the blood drawn, but with…
Pay-to-Pray (Sunday parking meter regulations)
Parking meter days-in-effect were extended to Sunday. In 2005, critics labeled the policy "pay-to-pray." "Pay-to-pray" had been used in state politics in 2004 in connection with…
Lemonade (or, the New York Game)
"Here we come!""Where are you from?""New York.""What's your trade?""Lemonade." These are the opening lines to a game of charades that has…
“Salsa from New York City?” (Pace picante sauce commercials)
In the 1980s, Pace picante sauce- ran a series of commercials touting its native southwest appeal. Another salsa was from - horrors! -- New York City! The popular advertising campaign was revived…
New York Brand Texas Toast (from Ohio)
"Texas Toast" comes from Texas, right? Or New York? Or Ohio? "Texas Toast" is that big chunk of bread, dipped in butter and sprinkled with garlic, that's usually eaten with…
Broadway Diner (on Lexington Avenue)
Quick, where is the Broadway Diner located? Lexington Avenue, of course. It began in the 1980s and used to be located at Broadway and West 55th Street - just a block away from "Big Apple…
Forest City
"Forest City" was an early Cleveland nickname. It is seldom used today (if at all). 5 March 1851, Ohio Repository (Canton, Ohio), pg. 2?, col. 2:The Queen City and the Forest City -…
Best Location in the Nation
From "Cleveland Caught in Long Decline" in the New York Times, 13 November 1978, pg. 1, cols.2-3: The best location in the nation" was the way the Cleveland Electric Illuminating…
Mistake on the Lake
"Best Location in the Nation" was soon ridiculed with "Mistake by/on the Lake." This nickname was popular in CB slang in the 1970s, during Cleveland's fiscal crisis. These…
Big Plum (“New York may be the Big Apple, but Cleveland’s a Plum”)
"New York may be the Big Apple, but Cleveland's a Plum" (occasionally, "The Big Plum") was meant to answer Cleveland's fiscal crisis in the 1970s, just as "the…
Big Orange (California and Orange County-NY nickname)
In the 1970s, just as "the Big Apple" became popular for New York, "the Big Orange" was sometimes used for Los Angeles or the state of California. "Big Orange" was…
Mini-Apple or Minneapple (Minneapolis nickname)
"Minneapolis" actually means the "city of lakes" or "city of waters." However, it sounds like it means "mini-apples." After "the Big Apple" became…
Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas nickname)
Manhattan, Kansas was incorporated in 1857. It compares to Manhattan, in New York City, only in name. After "the Big Apple" became famous in the 1970s, the Manhattan, Kansas Chamber of…
“The Hawk” or “Hawkins” (strong cold winter wind)
Chicago's wind is called "Hawkins," or "The Hawk." The origin of the name is a mystery, but one thing is certain: it didn't originate in Chicago. Random House…
“Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry” (1942)
"Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry" was a novelty song by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Victor Schertzinger (music). It was sung by Betty Hutton in the film The Fleet's In…
New York is not America
New York is a "blue state." Very blue. Very Democratic. The Republican party has won the last two presidential elections. "New York is not America" is a timely, apt cliche.…
Strip Tease
New York City has a Museum of Sex. Not only did we give the world the "hooker," but we also started "strip tease." "Strip tease" grew out of burlesque, about…
No Orleans (New Orleans nickname)
Disaster struck New Orleans in August 2005 from Hurricane Katrina. "No Orleans" has been used by some. Other New Orleans nicknames include "America's Most Interesting…