“Hack in black (robes)” (activist judge)
An activist judge has been called a "hack in black (robes)." The rhyme (perhaps) borrows from the AC/DC 1980 album Back in Black. The term "hack in black" has been used by both…
Archive for 03/2011
Brimaquonx
"Brimaquonx" (Brooklyn + Staten Island + Manhattan + Queens + Bronx) was once suggested as the name for New York City. The proposed name is known largely through a mention in Mario…
“Money goes where money is”
"Money goes where money is" is an adage of unknown authorship that has been cited in print since at least 1891. It explains how the rich (who have money to invest) often get richer and…
Bank Run (“run on the bank”)
A "bank run" is a "run on a/the bank," when panicked bank customers demand their money before a seeming bank collapse. Deposit insurance protections in the United States (put in…
Bank Holiday
A "bank holiday" is a day when the bank is normally open (such as a weekday), but when it's closed instead. Bank holidays in the United States usually occur on federal holidays, such…
“If a barbecue place has a drive-through, it probably isn’t good”
"If a barbecue place has a drive-through, it probably isn't good/authentic" is a barbecue saying that probably can't be dated. Barbecue celebrates "low and slow"…
Q-Head (barbecue enthusiast)
A "Q-head" is a barbecue (or "bbq" or simply "q") enthusiast. The term "Q-head" has been cited in print since at least 1998. Google Groups: alt.food.barbecue…
“Winner, winner, chicken dinner”
"Winner, winner, chicken dinner" was popularized by ESPN sports announcers and by the gambling movie 21 (2008). The term is said to have originated at Binion's Horseshoe casino in…
Weakly Standard (Weekly Standard nickname)
The Weekly Standard is a conservative opinion weekly magazine that debuted in September 1995. The obvious nickname of The Weakly Standard was applied to the magazine by at least 1998. Another…
Beeramisu (beer + tiramisu)
Tiramisu is the popular Italian dessert made of biscuits dipped in coffee, with layers of egg yolks and mascarpone. "Beeramisu" dips the biscuits in beer instead of coffee. The dessert…
“Truth has no agenda”
"Truth has no agenda" is a phrase often used by conservative radio and television host Glenn Beck; Beck's website began selling T-shirts with the phrase in February 2011. The saying…
Tarzhay or Tarjay (Target nickname)
Target is one of the largest retailers in America. Some people give the name a faux French accent, calling the store "Tar-jay" or "Tar-zhay." The nickname "Tarjay" has…
Mickey D’s (McDonald’s nickname)
"Mickey D's" is a popular nickname for McDonald's fast food restaurants. The nickname was trademarked by McDonald's in 1981. The nickname "Mickey D's" has…
Prostitution Park (Crispus Attucks Park)
Crispus Attucks Park (also called the Crispus Attucks Playground) is located in Clinton Hill in Brooklyn. In March 2011, the park was frequented by so many prostitutes and drug addicts that news…
“Let them eat iPad”
Bill Dudley, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, spoke in Queens in March 2011. A member of the audience asked Dudley about high food prices, and when he actually did his food…
Fleabay (eBay nickname)
eBay is an online auction site that was founded in 1995. One popular nickname for eBay has been "Fleabay" or "FleaBay" (flea market + eBay). The unflattering nickname compares…
PIMPCO (PIMCO nickname)
PIMCO (the Pacific Investment Management Company) was founded in 1971; it now has over a trillion dollars in investments. "PIMPCO" is an obvious nickname, used by those who believe that…
Shittybank or Shitty Bank or Shitibank (Citibank nickname)
Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York and is one of the world's largest banks. The obvious nickname of "ShittyBank" (also spelled "Shittybank,"…
Poliwood (politics + Hollywood)
"Poliwood" or "poliwood" (politics + Hollywood) is an infrequently used term that is also the title of a 2009 documentary film about 2008's presidential race. Film…
“Demography is destiny”
"Demography is destiny" (infrequently given as "demographics is destiny" or "demographics are destiny") was coined by Ben Wattenberg and Richard M. Scammon in their…