Spring Sphere (Easter egg)
One Seattle, Washington, school supposedly told a student that she could make "spring spheres," but not "Easter eggs." (This April 2011 story has been disputed.) The…
Streets
Sprinkles (Jimmies)
New York is a "sprinkle" town. If you call them "jimmies," you're probably the type of person who roots for the Boston Red Sox. I found the earliest citation for…
Sprinter (spring + winter)
"Sprinter" (spring + winter) is a portmanteau word that has been printed on many images. "Sprummer" (spring + summer) is a related term. Wiktionary: sprinterEtymologyBlend of…
Sprite Airlines (Spirit Airlines nickname)
Spirit Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost carrier. Some people rearrange the letters a bit and call it "Sprite Airlines." "Ppl Never take Sprite airlines it the worst airline I…
Spritzer
"Spritzer" is a "splash," from the German word. It is usually a mixture of wine and soda water, but the word can be used for other drink combinations. It was popular among the…
Sprots (misspelling of “sports”)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google Groups: rec.video.satellite.tvroNeed new C-Band subscription, HELPPaul Dowgewicz 6/11/01(...) The problem I have with NPS is that you have to buy Fox Sprots…
Sprummer (spring + summer)
"Sprummer" (spring + summer) is a portmanteau word that has been printed on many images. "Sprinter" (spring + winter) is a related term. Wiktionary: sprummer EtymologyBlend of…
Spucky, Spuckie or Spukie (sandwich)
Entry in progress -- B.P. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long rolls includes blimpie, bomber, Cuban (medianoche), Dagwood, garibaldi, gondola, grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian,…
Spur Capital of Texas (Gatesville nickname)
Gatesville in central Texas was named the "Spur Capital of Texas" by the Texas Legislature in 2001. The largest spur collection in the world is found in Gatesville's Coryell Museum…
Sputniks (Metropolitan Opera House chandeliers)
The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center has "starburst" chandeliers than many have called "Sputniks," after the Russian satellite. The chandeliers were a gift from the…
Square Dance Capital of the World (McAllen nickname)
McAllen in south Texas has hosted the Texas Square Dance Jamboree since 1987, and McAllen promotes itself as the "Square Dance Capital of the World." The Texas Legislature hasn't…
Square Meal
"Square meal" is a term that appears to have originated in California by 1856. It is sometimes claimed that "square meal" comes from England's Royal Navy (where meals were…
Srirachapocalypse (Sriracha sauce + apocalypse)
Sriracha is a hot sauce named after a city in Thailand and composed of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt. Huy Fong Foods (the company that manufactures Sriracha) opened a…
SRO (Single Room Occupancy)
"SRO" first meant "standing room only," in the 1890s. Later, in the 1930s and 1940s, "SRO" was used to mean "single room occupancy." Both meanings of…
SRO (Standing Room Only)
"SRO" first meant "standing room only," in the 1890s. Later, in the 1930s and 1940s, "SRO" was used to mean "single room occupancy." Both meanings of…
St. John the Unfinished (St. John the Divine)
The Cathedral church of St. John the Divine on Morningside Heights (110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue) was started in the 1890s and is still not finished. It's been called St. John('s)…
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The New York Gazette will eventually be digitized. Until them, we don't know much about St. Patrick's Day in New York in the 1700s. The St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of New…
St. Paul Sandwich
The St. Paul sandwich is a sandwich that contains egg. The original "St. Paul" sandwich dates to the 1890s, and a "St. Paul" sandwich (or "egg foo young" sandwich) has…
St. Wapniacl (Cabinet mnemonic)
"St. Wapniacl" was the old mnemonic to remember the offices of the President of the United States' Cabinet. It was arranged in order of creation and importance: State, Treasury, War,…
Stable Row
New York has (or had) more than one "stable row." The "stable row" near the famous Dakota building, on Amsterdam Avenue from 75th to 77th Streets, failed to be landmarked in…