Blackbirds (Long Island University teams)
It is not known when or why Long Island University called its sports teams the "Blackbirds," but the nickname had been used since at least 1935. In 2019, the "Blackbirds"…
Alphebetical for "b"
Blackout Cake
The "Blackout Cake" is the famed product of Brooklyn's Ebinger's Bakery, which began in 1898 and closed its doors in 1972. It's not clear when this was called…
Blameocracy (blame + democracy); Blameocrat (blame + bureaucrat)
A "blameocracy" (blame + democracy) is when one political party blames another political party for seemingly all of the country's problems, or when a president blames the previous…
Blamestream Media
"Blamestream media" is a nickname that some have applied to the “mainstream media” (MSM). The term "lamestream media" (cited in print since at least 1999) indicates a lame…
Bleisure (business + leisure)
"Bleisure" (business + leisure) is a buzzword in the travel industry. "Bleisure" has been cited in print since at least 2008 and made many newspaper and magazine articles in…
Blessing of the Bicycles (Blessing of the Bikes)
An annual "Blessing of the Bikes" (or "Blessing of the Bicycles") has been held in the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine since 1999. The blessing is to promote bicycle…
Blessing of the Fleet (BayFest)
Several events are called "Blessing of the Fleet." http://www.brooklyntourism.org/calendar.htmlBayFest/Blessing of the FleetEmmons Avenue & E. 27th Street. Sheepshead Bay, Sunday, May…
Blimpie (sandwich)
The first "Blimpie Base" (later just "Blimpie") sandwich shop opened in Hoboken, New Jersey, on April 4, 1964. The shop quickly franchised, especially in the New York City-area,…
Blind Pig
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: SpeakeasyA speakeasy was an establishment that surreptitiously sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition…
Blind Pool
Entry in progress -- B.P. The Big MoneyWord of the Week“blind pools”By Caitlin McDevittPosted Friday, November 13, 2009 - 2:05pmThe Wall Street Journal had a report this morning about former…
Blind Tiger
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: SpeakeasyA speakeasy was an establishment that surreptitiously sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition…
Blinky
"Blinky" is milk (or, rarely, another food product) that is beginning to turn sour. "Blinky" is used in Texas and other states in the South and Midwest. Language in Texas…
Blintze (Blintz; Blin)
The "blintze" (or "blintz," usually plural as "blintzes," a diminutive from the Russian "blin" for pancake or crêpe) was served on the Jewish Lower East…
Blipster
"Blipster" = black + hipster. The term received popularity in the January 28, 2007 New York Times article "Truly Indie Fans" by Jamie Pressler. The term "blipster" is…
Blisters on My Sisters (egg dish, similar to huevos rancheros)
"Blisters on My Sisters" is an egg dish served at Shopsin's (located in Essex Market, but formerly on Carmine Street). Kenny Shopsin named the dish after a lyric in a song by Frank…
Block Party
The Oxford English Dictionary added "block party" in 1997, and OED's earliest citation is 1919. I've found "block party" from 1907. Unfortunately, the first New York…
Blogola (blog + payola)
"Blogola" (blog + payola) or "bloggola" (blogger + payola) is when a blog or a blogger receives money or free merchandise, presumably for a favorable write-up. The older term…
Blondie (Blond Brownie or Blonde Brownie)
A "blondie" is a "blond brownie" (or "blonde brownie"), a light-colored brownie. Chocolate is replaced by brown sugar and vanilla extract to give them the lighter…
Bloody Angle (Doyers Street)
Doyers Street (in Chinatown) was called "the Bloody Angle" around 1900 because of murders that occurred on the street. The term has long fadded into history, but the angle of Doyers…
Bloody Awful (British Airways nickname)
British Airways (BA) was formed in 1974 and is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom. The BA nickname of "Bloody Awful" has been cited in print since at least 1982. In 1990, publications…