Happier Hour
The "happy hour" is usually the time an establishment serves reduced-price drinks; "happy hour" has been cited in print since at least 1951. Taco Bell trademarked "happier…
Archive for 05/2013
“Some people grow, other people swell”
Financial author and frequent CNBC contributor Anthony Scaramucci wrote in Goodbye Gordon Gekko: How to Find Your Fortune Without Losing Your Soul (2010): "In 1989, I sat there, eager to be…
Cronut (croissant + doughnut)
The Dominique Ansel Bakery, at 189 Spring Street in Manhattan, developed the "cronut" (croissant + doughnut) in May 2013. The bakery described the new creation: "Each one consists of…
Sailgating (sail + tailgating)
"Sailgating" (sail + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. Sailgating can involve any boat -- not just sailboats. The tradition…
Boatgating (boat + tailgating)
"Boatgating" (boat + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. The tradition appears to have started at the University of…
Sterngating (stern + tailgating)
"Sterngating" (stern + tailgating) is when a tailgate picnic is held from a boat instead of a car, van, or pickup truck. The tradition appears to have started at the University of…
Spagging (photos of spaghetti eaters)
"Spagging" are Internet photos of people seemingly slurping down strands of spaghetti (or another long noodle). The word "spagging" was coined and made several websites in May…
“Hate injures the hater, not the hated”
"Hate injures the hater, not the hated" has usually been credited to Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981), who was born Mildred Lisette Norman. However, Peace Pilgrim clearly indicated that the…
“The rich invest in time, the poor invest in money”
“The rich invest in time, the poor invest in money" is almost always credited to American investor Warren Buffett, but it's uncertain if the widely quoted ( and well-cited) Buffett said…
“Profits are the mother’s milk of stocks”
"Profits are the mother's milk of stocks" is a Wall Street adage popularized by American business author, columnist, and television host Lawrence Kudlow. Kudlow has used the saying…
Walmartization
Walmart is a retail chain of large discount department stores. "Walmartization" can mean the coming of a Walmart store to a geographical area. "Walmartization," however, is most…
Little Tibet or Himalayan Heights (Jackson Heights, Queens)
Jackson Heights, Queens, has been known as "Little India," but there are also immigrants from Tibet and Nepal. The website Little Tibet in New York wrote about a Tibetan food pushcart on…
Little Accra (University Heights, Bronx)
University Heights in the Bronx has so many residents from Ghana (in east Africa) that it has been nicknamed "Little Accra" after Accra, the capital and largest city of Ghana.…
“Good food, good wine, good friends, good times”
"Good food, good wine, good friends, good times" has been printed on posters. "Good food, good wine, good friends and 'the next time'" was cited in print in 1983. Good…
“Good moms have sticky floors, dirty ovens, and happy kids”
"Good moms have sticky floors, dirty ovens, and happy kids" is a saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as kitchen plaques. "Good moms have sticky floors, messy…
BoHo (Bowery below Houston Street)
"BoHo" is a neighborhood nickname that represents the Bowery below Houston Street in Manhattan. "BoHo" has been cited in print since at least 1998, but it has been rarely used.…
Eating-house Square
Times Square was briefly nicknamed "Eating-house Square" in 1910. Restaurants such as Rector's, the Cafe de l'Opera, the Knickerbocker Grill and Shanley's were located in…
Compost Cookie
Momofuku Milk Bar (various locations) trademarked the name "compost cookie" from November 15, 2008. The popular cookie contains potato chips, pretzels, butterscotch and chocolate chips,…
Under Surveillance Always (“USA” backronym)
The United States government checks some people's Internet activity (among other activities) and some citizens believe that government surveillance has gotten out of control. The United States…
Bank Speak
"Bank speak" is bank lingo that bankers understand, but many customers don't. "Bank speak" has been cited in print since at least 1983. "Bank speak" was…