Manhattan Silver/White (drugs)
Jonathon Green's Cassell Dictionary of Slang (1998) has these entries: Manhattan silver/white n. [1970s+][drugs] an imaginary brand of marijuana, silver/white because its seeds have grown in…
Archive for 11/2004
Vichyssoise
"Vichyssoise" was allegedly invented by Louis Diat, chef of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in 1917. The problem is, I can't find a single citation before the 1930s. "Vichyssoise"…
Vaudeville
"Variety" had been the name for what became known as "vaudeville" in the United States. (See the entry for "variety" here.) A citation below claims that George Lederer…
Reuben Sandwich (and Rachel Sandwich, Celebrity Sandwiches)
Arnold Reuben (1883-1970) began his restaurant in the 1910s and it became famous for its celebrity-named sandwiches, a tradition continued by the Stage Deli and Carnegie Deli and others. Reuben…
Twofer
In the days just after World War II and before the Times Square TKTS. booth, sagging Broadway shows would offer "two-fers." These are two tickets for the price of one. 5 July 1947, New…
Tiffany Network (CBS)
The Columbia Broadcasting System is sometimes called "the Tiffany Network." "Tiffany" stands for Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany's, whose famous store is now at Fifth…
Manicotti
"Manicotti" (an Italian dish) was first popularized in New York. From the New York Herald Tribune, "Dining Around New York" by Clementine Paddleford, 21 April 1962, pg. 9, col.…
Beefsteak
The "beefsteak" is a New York tradition from the 19th century that has since died out. January 1893, Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, "New York Restaurant Life," pg. 108,…
Swing Street (52nd Street)
"Swing Street" is the name for 52nd Street. At one time, many swing clubs were located here. The name dates from the swing era of the 1930s. 21 November 1937, New York Times, pg.…