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.…
Alphebetical for "a"
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).…
Administration’s Press (Associated Press or AP nickname)
The Associated Press (AP) is a news agency founded in 1846 and headquartered in New York City. The derogatory nickname of the "Administration's Press" has been cited in print since…
Admiral’s Row or Officer’s Row (Brooklyn Navy Yard buildings)
The ten officers' houses built between 1864 and 1901 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard are called "Admiral's Row" or "Officer's Row." The buildings have been abandoned…
Adobo Sauce
Adobo sauce is a hot sauce of chiles, garlic, vinegar, onions, and tomatoes that is applied to many dishes, especially chicken. Wikipedia: Adobo SauceAdobo sauce is a sauce or marinade used in…
Adopt-a-Highway
Adopt-a-Highway programs began in Texas in 1984-1985. James R. "Bobby' Evans, an engineer at the Texas Department of Transportation, noticed the need for cleaner highways when he saw…
Adventures NYC
The Parks Department started "Adventures NYC" in 2005, with a second annual event in 2006. http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/events/output_pages/adventures_nyc.phpAdventures…
Adzillatron (Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium scoreboard nickname)
The giant scoreboard at the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was dubbed "Godzillatron" by July 31, 2006. Texas Longhorn fans quickly criticized the many advertisements on the…
Aer Fungus or Air Fungus (Aer Lingus nickname)
Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland. Some people have nicknamed the airline "Aer Fungus" or "Air Fungus." "Air Lingus (EI) - Air Fungus" was posted on the…
Aeroflop (Aeroflot nickname)
Aeroflot was founded in 1923 and is the flag carrier for the Russian Federation. The obvious Aeroflot nickname of "Aeroflop" ("flop" is slang for "failure") has been…
Aerosplat (Aeroflot nickname)
Aeroflot was founded in 1923 and is the flag carrier for the Russian Federation. The obvious Aeroflot nickname of "Aerosplat" ("splat" is the sound made by a crash) has been…