City That Never Sleeps
In the song "New York, New York" (1977), Frank Sinatra (in a 1979 recording) said that he wanted to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep. The phrase is much, much older than the…
Archive for 07/2004
Cappuccino
Cafe Reggio on Macdougal Street did not invent the "cappuccino," but it certainly was one of the first places in America to offer it. "Cappuccino" was cited in an 1893 guidebook…
General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso's Chicken (deep-fried chicken in a sweet sauce) was popularized at Peng's restaurant in Manhattan on 291 East 44th Street, from about 1973-74. The similar "General…
Naked City
"There are eight million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them." Does anyone remember that line? There was a tv show called Naked City and a movie called Naked City.…
Statue of Liberty Play (football)
The Statue of Liberty play -- usually called "the old Statue of Liberty Play" -- is a trick football play that fakes a pass, but is really a handoff to someone just behind the passer. The…
Gang Green (New York Jets nickname)
Somewhat later than "Big Blue" (Giants) came "Gang Green" (Jets). The nickname comes from the green color of the Jets' uniforms and logos. Although "Gang Green"…
1963: John J. Fitz Gerald obituaries
John J. Fitz Gerald died during a newspaper strike in New York City. He never received proper credit for "the Big Apple." Much historical work on the Fitz Gerald family has been done by…
Lipstick Building
The "Lipstick" building, at Third Avenue and East 53rd Street, was completed in 1986, but was given that name by 1985. The name is from the building's shape -- like a lipstick…
Black Rock (CBS); Hard Rock (ABC); 30 Rock (NBC)
"Black Rock" is the name of the CBS building at West 52nd Street and Avenue of the Americas. The outside of the building shows the black stuff. The name also comes from the John…
Big Board
The New York Stock Exchange refers to itself as "the Big Board." The name is over 100 years old. 2 November 1897, Chicago Daily Tribune, pg. 1: Old Stock Exchange men agree that there…
Big Blue; Big Blue Wrecking Crew
"Big Blue" is the nickname for the New York Giants football club, who used to play in Yankee Stadium, but who now play in Giants Stadium in...ahhh...New Jersey. There are other "Big…
Tenderloin
The once-seedy heart of New York City was once called the "Tenderloin." Police Captain Alexander Williams allegedly coined the term in the late 1870s, but the earliest citations that I…
Silk Stocking District
I live in the "Silk Stocking District" on the upper east side of Manhattan. The term is an old one, meaning wealthy people who dress expensively. 8 September 1895, New York Times, pg.…
Hell’s Kitchen
New York City has many hells -- "Hell Gate," for example. "Hell's Kitchen" is one of the most famous and enduring of New York City neighborhood names. "Hell's…
Chinatown
San Francisco's famous Chinatown was named earlier, but New York's came soon afterward. There are now Chinatowns in many other cities. It's difficult to say exactly when New…
Little Italy
There's more than one Little Italy in New York City, and the name is not reserved for New York's alone. Wikipedia: Little Italy, ManhattanLittle Italy is a neighborhood in lower…
Gotham
"Gotham" is an old and well-known nickname, and I don't have much to add to this. It's best known today as the city that the comic character Batman protects. There is a Gotham…
“New York, New York—so nice, they named it twice”
"So nice, they named it twice" is what some people say about New York, New York. The saying has been used by other cities as well, such as Walla Walla, Washington. ""New York,…
Bagdad-on-the-Subway
"Bagdad-on-the-Subway" was O. Henry's nickname for New York City. Other writers soon called it "Bagdad on the Hudson." The nickname is about 100 years old and does not…
Parkie/Parky
A Parks Department employee. It's either "Parkie" or "Parky." It was used more in the past than it is today. American Speech, vol. 16, no. 3, October 1941, pg. 188:PARK AND…