MaHi (Marble Hill)
"MaHi" is "Marble Hill." You already know, of course, that "Washington Height and Inwood" is "WaHI." At the "WaHI" web site, "MaHi" has…
Archive for 11/2004
WaHI (Washington Heights & Inwood)
"WaHI" is a new term for "Washington Heights & Inwood," cited in print from at least 2003. It looks like something from Hawaii; some people pronounce it "Wa-HIGH"…
Manhattan Schist
"Manhattan schist" is the rock base that helps Manhattan's buildings stay up and reach toward the sky. Surprisingly, "Manhattan schist" is not listed in the recently…
B’way (Broadway)
"B'way" is shorthand for "Broadway." Walter Winchell used it quite often and many people think that he coined it or popularized it. In fact, "B'way" has been…
“Don’t Rain On My Parade” (1964, 1968)
The song "Don't Rain On My Parade" was in the Broadway musical (1964) and movie (1968) Funny Girl, about the New York performer Fanny Brice. Funny Girl had music by Jule Styne and…
Parsons Table
The "Parsons table" is often thought to have some religious connotation, but it's actually a product of the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Wikipedia: Parsons tableThe…
“Soup Nazi”
A November 1995 episode of the television situation comedy Seinfeld featured the "Soup Nazi." It was a fictional portrait of a real New York City soup man. 22 November 1995, Boston (MA)…
“Moon River” (1961); “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1995)
"Moon River" was written by Henry Mancini (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics) for the film Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). The film was based on a short story by Truman Capote and it…
Commercial Emporium
"Commercial Emporium" was perhaps New York City's first nickname. "Commercial Emporium" was applied even earlier than "Gotham." The commercial nickname was…
Hell’s Hundred Acres
"Hell's Hundred Acres" was the name for the area of SoHo, just before that name was used in about 1970. "Hell's Hundred Acres" was used during World War II, describing…
Cathedral of Commerce (Woolworth Building)
Before there was a World Trade Center, there was a Cathedral of Commerce. This was the Woolworth Building - the world's tallest when built. It is said that the Reverend S. Parkes Cadman…
Mason (Fruit) Jar
John Landis Mason, of Brooklyn, patented the "Mason jar" on November 30, 1858. Early jars were sold as "Mason fruit jars." It's still with us today. I've found ads in…
Mecca of Telephone Men
Around 1900, when the telephone was new, New York City was the "mecca of telephone men." The nickname was rarely used then and quickly died, but it's sometimes given in lists of New…
Frog and Toe
"Frog and Toe" was a 19th century underworld nickname for New York City. Not much is known about it and it appears to have been rarely used. The term "Frog and Toe" was defined…
Con Ed or Con Edison (Consolidated Edison)
Con Ed? Continuing Education? Convicted? Conniving? A convention of guys named Ed? New York gets its energy form a company named "con"? "Con Ed" stands for "Consolidated…
“Fame” (1980)
"Fame" was written by Michael Gore (music) and Dean Pitchford (lyrics) and performed by Irene Cara for the movie Fame (1980). The movie was about New York's High School of Performing…
“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” (1981)
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (1981) was written by husband and wife team of Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, and was performed by Christopher Cross. It was the theme…
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are a combination of basketball and vaudeville. The club began in the 1920s as the Savoy Big Five -- in Chicago! The frequent, hapless opponent of the team is the…
Death Avenue; Slaughter on Tenth Avenue
"Death Avenue" was the nickname of Eleventh Avenue, from about 1890. It got its name from New York Central train accidents. Previously, Fourth Avenue had been "Death Avenue."…
Boulevard of Death (Queens Boulevard)
Queens Boulevard has been called the "Boulevard of Death" from its many 1990s fatalities. It takes a long time for a pedestrian to cross the street, and the cars pass by quickly. 23…