Schumwich (NY Senator Chuck Schumer’s sandwich)
New York Senator Chuck Schumer's favorite sandwich was described in the April 18, 2010 New York (NY) Post. The sandwich is roast beef, banana peppers, pickled jalapeños, extra onions, extra…
Archive for 04/2010
House of Countless Drops (bar)
Entry in progress -- B.P. 13 May 1944, New York (NY) Amsterdam News, "Dan Burley's Back Door Stuff," pg. 6B:Light jiving on a Diminished Seventh:(...)It was a deuce of haircuts on…
Astorperious or Asterperious (from “Astor”)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Astor familyThe Astor family is a significant American family of German descent notable for their prominence in business, society, and politics. Founding Family…
Strivers’ Row (West 138th-West 139th Streets)
"Strivers' Row" (sometimes spelled "Striver's Row") is located on West 138th and West 139th Streets between Adama Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) and…
Pimp Steak (hot dog)
A "pimp steak" a frankfurter or hot dog. The term was used in Harlem in the 1940s-1950s and refers to an "inexpensive" steak. "Fine Fur Frankfurter — Pimp-steak" was…
Main Drag of Many Tears (125th or 126th Street)
"Main Drag of Many Tears" was the slang name of 125th Street (or 126th Street) in the 1940s. The Apollo Theater was then one of the main attractions of 125th Street, one of Harlem's…
Big Red with the Long Green Stem (Seventh Avenue/Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard)
"Big Red with the Long Green Stem" was Seventh Avenue (now Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard) in Harlem, between roughly 130th and 150th Streets. The term combined several slang terms:…
“Blood, toil, tears and sweat” (“Blood, sweat and tears”)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Blood, toil, tears, and sweatThe famous phrase Blood, toil, tears and sweat was originally used by Theodore Roosevelt in an address to the Naval War College on…
“If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall”
"When/If your outgo exceeds your income (then) your upkeep is your downfall" is a common sense phrase for a person to live within his or her means. The phrase is cited in print from at…
Pearl (Parks Department squirrel mascot)
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation introduced "Pearl" (a cartoon squirrel) as its mascot in an April 2010 event. There was a contest, but the Parks Department went…
Smoke-Filled Room
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Smoke-filled roomIn U.S. political slang, a smoke-filled room is a secret political gathering or decision-making process. The phrase is generally used to…
Demolicious (demolition of Texas Stadium)
Texas Stadium opened on October 24, 1971 and was demolished on April 11. 2010. Kraft Foods, Inc., paid $75,000 to sponsor the demolition event and and 11-year-old essay contest winner helped to…
“Texas: illegally acquired; universally admired”
"Texas: illegally acquired; universally admired" has appeared on a list of humorous "Texas slogans." The slogan has been cited in print since at least 2005. "KingYaba"…
Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.Capitol Hill, aside from being a metonym for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighborhood in…
Log Cabin Republicans
The Log Cabin Republicans is a group that supports the Republican Party and advocates for gay and lesbian rights. The group began in California in 1977 and defeated the Briggs Initiative (a…
Corruptican or Corrupticon
"Corruptican" and "corrupticon" both refer to a "corrupt" politician. A "corruptican" usually refers to a "corrupt Republican."…
“Leaders don’t create movements, movements create leaders”
"Leaders don't create movements, movements create leaders" is a political quotation that doesn't have an obvious source. "Popular movements create leaders" is cited…
Home of Happy Feet/The Track (Savoy Ballroom nicknames)
Harlem's Savoy Ballroom was located between 140th and 141st Streets and Lenox Avenue (Sixth Avenue), and was in operation from 1926-1958. The Savoy was known as a dancing venue, with the…
Poor Man’s Gold (silver nickname)
Silver is sometimes called the "poor man's gold" because silver is cheaper to buy. The term "poor man's gold" was used in 1932 by Rene Leon, but other metals (copper,…
Crescent City (New Orleans nickname)
New Orleans has been called the "Crescent City" since at least 1835. The "crescent" refers to the curve of the Mississippi River. Joseph Holt Ingraham (1809-1860) probably…