Orange Julius & Orange Juice Gulch
Times Square used to be known as "Orange Juice Gulch." It appears that Walter Winchell coined this term in the New York Graphic in 1928. (Unfortunately, the New York Public Library…
Alphebetical for "o"
Orchid Show (New York Botanical Garden)
The annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a new event, but an increasingly popular one. http://www.nybg.org/plan_your_visit/event_detail.php?id_event=6402/25/2006 - 4/2/2006The…
Order Sniping (prank)
"Order sniping" is a prank popularized by Dominic Harris in his YouTube video, "Drive Thru Order Sniping Prank," published on December 19, 2013. The video appeared on the…
Oregon, Things Look Different Here (Oregon slogan)
"Oregon, Things Look Different Here” is the Oregon slogan introduced in 1988 to replace the previous slogan (since 1984), “Oregon, You're More Than Welcome.” The previous slogan had…
Oregon, We Love Dreamers (Oregon slogan)
"Oregon, We Love Dreamers" is the Oregon slogan that the Oregon Tourism Commission introduced in December 2003 to replace the previous slogan (since 1988), "Oregon, Things Look…
Oregon, You’re More Than Welcome (Oregon slogan)
"Oregon, You're More Than Welcome Here” is the Oregon slogan introduced in 1984 to supplement the previous slogan (since 1959), “Pacific Wonderland” The slogan attempted to remedy a…
Oregonian (inhabitant of Oregon)
An inhabitant of the state of Oregon is called an "Oregonian." The "Oregonian" name has been cited in print since at least October 1838, when the newspaper The Oregonian, and…
Oregroanian (The Oregonian newspaper nickname)
The Oregonian is a daily newspaper published in Portland, Oregon, since 1850. The newspaper has been nicknamed The Oregroanian (Oregonian + groan) by some critics since at least 2000. Another…
Orejas (Mexican pastry “ears”)
"Orejas" ('ears") are similar to Spain's "palmeras," France's "palmiers," and America's "elephant ears." The Mexican pastry is flaky…
Oreo
Did you ever walk by that National Biscuit Company building on the lower west side of Manhattan? Did you know that, since 2002, there's been an "Oreo Way"? As one web site tells it:…
Organic Tanking
"Tanking" is when a sports team loses, usually with the intention of getting a high pick in the player draft after the season ends. Winning would probably not put the team in playoff…
Organized Team Activity (OTA)
Organized team activities (OTAs) are what professional football teams hold during the off-season. They are usually training sessions where teams learn the playbook and the techniques of their…
Orient Express or International Line (7 train)
The "Orient Express" is the 7 train that takes you to the many Asian neighborhoods of Queens. "International Line" is the "politically correct" term. The real…
Origin of “Badger” (Wisconsin nickname)
People from Wisconsin are nicknamed "Badgers." The University of Wisconsin officially adopted the "Badgers" nickname in 1889. "A keen-eyed leather-belted "badger"…
Origin of “Buckeye” (Ohio nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Aesculus glabraThe tree species Aesculus glabra is commonly known as Ohio buckeye, American buckeye, or fetid buckeye. Glabra is one of 13–19 species of…
Origin of “Canuck” (“Johnny Canuck”) - summary
Entry in progress. More digitized Canadian material due in about a month. -- B.P. Wikipedia: Canuck"Canuck" is a slang term for Canadians. HistoryThe term was coined in the 19th century,…
Origin of “Gopher” (Minnesota nickname)
Minnesota officially became a state on May 11, 1858. Slightly before 1858, Minnesota had been called the "Gopher State" and its residents called "Gophers." A widely reprinted…
Origin of “Hawkeye” (Iowa nickname)
A person from Iowa is called a "Hawkeye" and Iowa is called the "Hawkeye State." The name "Hawkeye" was popularized by author James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), who…
Origin of “Hoosier” (Indiana nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: HoosierHoosier (pronounced /ˈhuːʒər/) is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. State of Indiana. Although residents of most U.S. states typically…
Origin of “Sucker” (Illinois nickname)
People from Illinois were called "Suckers" in the 1800s, and Illinois was called the "Sucker State." As explained in an 1845 issue of the Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle by someone…