Speakeasy (Speak-easy)
The "speakeasy" (also written as "speak-easy" and "speak easy") began in 1889 in Pennsylvania and referred to an unlicensed saloon. The customers were told to…
Alphebetical for "s"
Speakstakes (Speaker + sweepstakes)
A "Veepstakes" (Veep + sweepstakes) is a race for vice president. A "Speakstakes" (Speaker + sweepstakes) is a race for a Speaker position, such as the Speaker of the House of…
Speckenwolf Pizza (Specken Wolf Pizza)
Roberta's restaurant, at 261 Moore Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn, opened in 2008. One popular pizza has been "Specken Wolf" or "Speckenwolf" -- mozzarella, oregano, onion,…
Specuvestor (speculator + investor)
The term "specuvestor" (speculator + investor) was coined by Lewis Owen's book, How Wall Street Doubles My Money Every Three Years (1969). An advertisement for the book explained,…
Speed Bump
Entry in progress -- B.P.sleeping policeman Wikipedia: Speed bumpA speed bump, speed hump or ramp
Spellebrity (spelling bee + celebrity)
"Spellebrity" ("spelling bee" + celebrity) refers to a notable contestant in a spelling bee, such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The E.W. Scripps Company trademarked…
Spelling Bee (Spelling Match)
Entry in progress -- B.P. [This entry was prepared with the research assistance of Ben Zimmer,] Wikipedia: Spelling beeA spelling bee is a competition in which contestants are asked to spell words.…
Spendaholic (spend + -aholic)
'Spendaholic" (spend + -aholic) is someone who has the disease of excess spending, much like an acoholic has with alcohol. The term "spendaholic" has been cited in print since…
Spexit (Spain/Spanish + exit)
"Spexit” (Spain/Spanish + exit) is a word created to define a possible Spanish exit from the eurozone. "Spexit" has been cited in print since at least May 2012. "Grexit"…
Sphinx of Wall Street
A sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a person and the body (usually) of a lion; the famous Egyptian sphinx is known for the "riddle of the sphinx." A person described as a…
Spice Mecca (Kalustyan’s nickname)
Kalustyan’s, located at 123 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, opened in 1944 and has specialized in Indian and Middle Eastern spices and foods. The store was called the "spice mecca in…
Spicedictive (spice + addictive)
Sonic drive-in restaurants introduced spicy chicken sandwiches in October 2013. Sonic's commercials said that the sandwich was "spicedictive" (spice + addictive). Wikipedia: Sonic…
Spillion (oil spill + million gallons/dollars); Spillionaire (oil spill + millionaire)
The March 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska quickly spawned the name "spillionaire" -- a person getting well-paid by Exxon to clean up the spill or getting paid a large settlement as…
Spinach and Artichoke Dip (with tortilla chips)
Both "artichoke dip" and "spinach dip" have been around since the 1960s, but "spinach and artichoke dip" (also "artichoke and spinach dip") took off in the…
Spinach Capital of the World (Crystal City nickname)
Crystal City in Zavala County has been called "Spinach Capital of the World" since at least 1933-34. In 1936, the annual Crystal City Spinach Festival was started. In 1937, Crystal City…
Spine of Texas (Interstate 35)
Interstate 35 (I-35) runs for 407 miles through Texas, going through such cities as San Antonio, Austin, Waco and Dallas. I-35 has been nicknamed the "spine of Texas" since at least the…
Spirit of Communication (Golden Boy)
Want to own a piece of New York City history? Evelyn Beatrice Longman (1874-1854) designed this 1916 statue of "Electricity," or "Spirit of Communication" (nicknamed…
Spit-take
Danny Thomas (of television's Make Room for Daddy, or The Danny Thomas Show, from 1953-1964) is credited for either inventing or popularizing the "spit-take." He would take a drink…
SPK (salt, pepper, ketchup)
"SPK" stands for "salt, pepper and ketchup." The SPK combination is popular at restaurants and delis, where it is served on cheesesteaks and many egg dishes and sandwiches.…
Splash Crash
The term "flash crash" began after the sudden market drop on May 6, 2010. John Bates, the chief technology officer at Progress Software (Bedford, MA), wrote on February 1, 2011 to…