PM (precious metals)
Precious metals are rare metallic chemical elements of high economic value, such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The term "PM" for "precious metals" has been cited in…
Archive for 07/2013
World’s Largest Hotel Lobby (San Antonio River Walk nickname)
The San Antonio River Walk passes by many downtown hotels. The "world's largest hotel lobby" has been an untrademarked nickname of the River Walk. "We have the world's…
“Take to the cleaners” (financially wipe out)
To take or send someone "to the cleaners" means to wipe that person out, financially or otherwise. The saying was first used in sports and gambling. In April 1906, boxer Rufe Turner said…
Glittering Grotto in the Sky (530 East 72nd Street)
The 3,200-square foot, 4-bedroom penthouse at 530 East 72nd Street was owned by Frank Sinatra from 1961 to 1972, where he held many famous parties. Artist Andy Warhol dubbed it a "glittering…
Shitpotle (Chipotle Mexican Grill nickname)
Chipotle Mexican Grill is a chain of restaurants specializing in Mexican (or Tex-Mex) food such as burritos and tacos. Those who don't like the restaurant have nicknamed it…
Yellow Brick Brewery (old Metropolitan Opera House at 39th Street)
The Metropolitan Opera House was located on 1411 Broadway in Manhattan, at 39th Street; it opened in 1883 and was demolished in 1967, after the opening of the new opera house at Lincoln Center in…
Plaza District
Midtown Manhattan's "Plaza District" is the area around the Plaza Hotel (at Central Park South/59th Street and Fifth Avenue). Wikipedia defines the Plaza District as "between…
Moonbatmobile (moonbat + automobile)
A "moonbatmobile" (moonbat + automobile) is an automobile driven by a moonbat -- a far-left wing progressive. The term "moonbatmobile" is, perhaps, a nod to the Batmobile -- the…
Floriduh (Florida + duh)
"Floriduh" (Florida + duh) is an unflattering nickname that was popularized during the U. S. presidential election recount of 2000. The Boston (MA) Herald, on November 10, 2000, ran the…
“Do Your Own Due Diligence” (DYODD)
"Due diligence" is a term that dates from at least 1598 in the Oxford English Dictionary, meaning "appropriate, sufficient, or proper care and attention." "Do Your Own Due…
Little Britain (West Village)
Greenwich Avenue, between 12th and 13th Streets in the West Village of Manhattan, is unofficially called "Little Britain." The teashop Tea & Sympathy, at 108 Greenwich Avenue, is one…
Ghostbusters Building (55 Central Park West)
55 Central Park West has no formal building name, but it's called the "Ghostbusters Building" after the popular film comedy. Ghostbusters (1984) called the building "Spook…
Muppet Trade
"Muppets" are the uninformed general public (or "sheeple") -- the customers who seek expert financial advice, but are often fleeced in the process. On March 14, 2012, the New…
Triple Threat (football)
A "triple threat" man in football is a player who can run, pass and kick. Triple threat men were highly prized in the early days of football in the early 1900s, but the rise of…
“Cost an arm and a leg” (at a great cost; expensive)
Something that costs "an arm and a leg" is something that can be acquired only at great expense. The term "cost an arm and a leg" appears to have started in the United States…
Triple Threat (acting, singing, dancing)
The term "triple threat" was used in sports (football) in the 1920s; the "triple threat" combination of talents was used in entertainment by the early 1930s. The classic…
Telegraph Capitol of America (Western Union Building, 60 Hudson Street)
The building at 60 Hudson Street in Manhattan (now called "60 Hudson") was originally the Western Union Building. It was the main office for Western Union for many years, until the…