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THE BIG APPLE. An etymological dictionary (over 36,000 entries) investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases, specializing in modern slang, neologisms, nicknames,…
Alphebetical for "a"
Above-way (proposed monorail to complement subway)
John Catsimatidis was running in the Republican primary for New York City mayor in 2013 when he was asked about transportation options. Catsimatiidis came out in favor of a new monorail system,…
Abovetexas (Oklahoma nickname)
The People's Cube blog, on October 18, 2013, posted the satirical story, "Oklahoma to change name to Abovetexas." The term "Oklahoma" is not politically correct, but…
Absolutely Awful or Always Awful (American Airlines nickname)
American Airlines (AA) is a United States airline that was founded in 1930 as American Airways. The AA nickname of "Always Awful" has been cited in print since at least 1991 and…
Absolutely Pathetic (Associated Press or AP nickname)
The Associated Press (AP) is a news agency founded in 1846 and headquartered in New York City. The derogatory AP nickname of "Absolutely Pathetic" has been cited in print since at least…
Absurdistan
Entry in progress -- B.P. "banana republic" Wikipedia: Absurdistan Absurdistan is a term sometimes used to satirically describe a country in which absurdity is the norm, especially in its…
ABV Disease (Anything But Vaccines)
ABV (Anything But Vaccines) Disease/Syndrome refers to the damaging effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines -- and the willingness of the scientific community and the media to attribute these…
ACAB (All Communists Are Bastards)
"ACAB" usually stands for "All Cops Are Bastards." "ACAB" also stands for "All Communists Are Bastards," and this has been printed on many images. The…
ACAB (All Coppers Are Bastards)
A chanted jingle -- “I’ll sing you a song / And it wont take long [or: It’s not very long] / All coppers are bastards” -- has been cited in the United Kingdom since at least 1945.…
ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards)
A chanted jingle -- “I’ll sing you a song / And it wont take long [or: It’s not very long] / All coppers are bastards” -- has been cited in the United Kingdom since at least 1945.…
Access To Money (“ATM” backronym)
"ATM" is an acronym from "automated teller machine" or "automatic teller machine." However, many people believe that "ATM" stands for "access to…
Acela Primary or Amtrak Primary (Northeast presidential primaries)
The U.S. presidential primaries on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, held in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, were dubbed the "Amtrak Primary" or…
Acquikill (acquire + kill)
"Acquibill" (acquire/acquisition + kill) is a term used among tech startups. A larger company might not like the competition, so it acquires the startup and then kills its product.…
Acropolis of America (Morningside Heights)
The area of Columbia University in Morningside Heights is sometimes called the "Acropolis of America" or "New York's Acropolis." Part of that is old Columbia puffery,…
Actors Stewdio (Jim Downey’s Steak House nickname)
Wikipedia: Actors StudioThe Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights at 432 West 44th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues in the…
Actors Stewdio (nickname of Jim Downey’s Steak House, near the Actors Studio)
Wikipedia: Actors StudioThe Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights at 432 West 44th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues in the…
Adam and Eve on a raft (poached eggs on toast)
"Adam and Eve" in diner lingo means an order of two eggs. The term "Adam and Eve" has been cited in print since at least 1891 and might have originated in an eating…
Adding “public advocate” to the OED
"Public Advocate" is not in the Oxford English Dictionary. OED is currently revising the letter "P." I'm putting "public advocate" in the dictionary! "Public…
Addisonian (inhabitant of Addison)
"Addisonian” is the name of an inhabitant of Addison, Texas. The name “Addisonian” has been cited in print since at least 1983. Wikipedia: Addison, TexasAddison is a city in Dallas…
Adirondack Bear Paw or Adirondack Black Bear (ice cream)
Entry in progress -- B.P.The ice cream concept is similar to Alaska's "Moose Tracks" ice cream. Also similar is "Panda Paws" (from Perry Ice Cream of Akron, NY).…