Greatest Free Show on Earth (Mardi Gras in New Orleans)
The annual Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been called the "greatest free show on earth." "Biggest free show on earth" has been cited in print since at least 1937, and…
Alphebetical for "g"
Greatly Ridiculous Exam (“GRE” backronym)
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)is a standardized test that is required for admission to many graduate schools. The GRE has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname of "Great…
Greece of the Caribbean (Puerto Rico in financial crisis)
A comparison of any place to the country of Greece can be taken two ways. If the comparison is to ancient Greece, then it's a compliment, referencing democracy and advanced education. If the…
Greedy Geezer
The term "greedy geezer" (old people who demand government entitlements) was coined in The New Republic, March 28, 1988, to describe the front-cover story, "Talkin' Bout My…
Greedy One Percent (Grand Old Party or GOP nickname)
"Greedy One Percent" is a slogan that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and buttons. The Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 featured the slogan, "We are the…
Greek “Anthora” Coffee Cup
New York City used to have many Greek diners. In the early 1960s, the famous Greek "Anthora" coffee cup was designed. It's a misspelling of "amphora." Since the 1990s, many…
Greek Independence Day Parade
The Greek Independence Day Parade began in 1940, making it one of New York's oldest ethnic parades. It celebrates the independence of Greece from Turkey. 25 March 1940, New York Times, pg.…
Greek Nachos (Mediterranean Nachos; Pita Nachos; Pitachos)
"Greek nachos" (also called "Mediterranean nachos") is another variation of Tex-Mex nachos. Tortilla chips are usually replaced with pita bread and feta cheese is used. Other…
Greek Salad
"Greek Salad" was probably named this in either New York or Chicago, two cities with large populations of Greek immigrants. In Greece itself, it is simply "salad" or…
Greekovery (Greek + recovery)
"Grexit" (Greece/Greek + exit) was a popular term in 2012, when it was feared that a poor Greek economy would force the nation to exit the euro zone. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras…
Greektown (Chicago neighborhood)
"Greektown" or "Greek Town" is a term meaning a city (not in Greece) that has many people of Greek ancestry. The Greektown in Chicago, Illinois, is well known, but there are…
Green Apple Music & Arts Festival
The first Green Apple Music & Arts Festival on April 20-23, 2006 is advertised as "America's Largest Earth Day Event." It may be an annual festival.…
Green Book (Official Directory)
"The Green Book" is called that because - surprise! - it's green. The formal name is the "Official Directory," but it was soon dubbed the "little green book." It…
Green Chile Burger/Green Chile Cheeseburger (Green Chili Burger/Green Chili Cheeseburger)
New Mexico is known for topping its hamburgers with green chili. The green chile burger (less often spelled as "green chili burger") and green chile cheeseburger (green chili…
Green Chili Burrito “Saddle Style”
The green chili burrito "saddle style" is a specialty of Yuma, Arizona's Mexican restaurants. The "saddle style" is similar to what's called a "wet burrito"…
Green Circle (chicken)
"Green circle" chickens are fed scraps from expensive New York City restaurants, and the chickens are then served in those restaurants. The idea behind "green circle" is that…
Green Fairy or Green Lady (absinthe nickname)
The "green fairy" (also called the "green lady" and the "green muse") has been a Paris nickname for the drink absinthe since the 1880s. The "green hour" --…
Green Falafel
Taim (222 Waverly Place) opened in 2006 serving falafel -- a red, roasted pepper falafel; a yellow, hariisa-infused falafel; and a green falafel with parsley, cilantro and mint. In the April 30,…
Green Giant (Condé Nast building at 4 Times Square)
The Condé Nast building at 4 Times Square in Manhattan has been called the "green giant" (since 1997; the building opened in 1999) because of energy-efficient or "green"…
Green Jade (broccoli, string beans and snow peas)
"Green Jade" is a vegetarian dish served at many Chinese-American restaurants. The dish contains broccoli (the "green jade"), plus such ingredients as snow peas, string beans,…