Rockettes (dance company)
The Rockettes are New York City's high-kicking dance company. The "Missouri Rockets" began in St, Louis in 1925, and were created by Russell Markert (1899-1990). In 1928, the company…
Sports/Games
Rocks for Jocks (Geology 101, or an easy college science course)
"Rocks for Jocks" is an introductory geology course, one taken by "jocks" (student athletes) that is supposedly easy to get a good grade and keep the students eligible to play…
Rocky Road (ice cream)
"Rocky Road" is a candy or an ice cream flavor of chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. Rocky Road was popularized in California, Oregon and Washington in the 1920s. "Rocky Road A…
Rodeo
"Rodeo" is Spanish for "round up." Pecos claims that it held the first "rodeo" (a spectator event as we know it today) on July 4, 1883. The claim is debated by other…
Rodeo Capital of Texas (Mesquite nickname)
Mesquite (near Dallas) has been home to Mesquite Championship Rodeo since 1958. In 1993, the Texas Legislature named Mesquite the "Rodeo Capital of Texas." Mesquite Championship Rodeo…
Roll with a Hole (bagel)
A bagel has been called a "roll with a hole" (or "roll with the hole") since at least 1944. The rhyming "roll-with-a-hole" made a newspaper headline by at least 1972.…
Roller Coaster
Coney Island has long been famous for its Cyclone roller coaster, first opened in 1927. America's first popular "roller coaster" amusement ride has long been thought to have been the…
Romainetic (romaine lettuce + romantic)
"Romainetic" (romaine lettuce + romantic) is a portmanteau word that is somewhat popular on Valentine's Day (February 14). "The gigolo, now in his salad days, was still…
Rome on the Potomac (Washington, DC nickname)
Washington, District of Columbia, is located on the Potomac River. Washington is infrequently nicknamed "Rome on the Potomac," after Rome, Italy, and its ancient empire. In the late…
Rome: Copper City (nickname)
The city of Rome, in New York's Oneida County, once produced one-tenth of the copper used in the United States. The Rome Brass & Copper Co. advertised that Rome was "The Brass and…
Romeritos
Romeritos is a Mexican herb that resembles rosemary. The Mexican dish of "romeritos" ("Romeritos en Revoltijo") adds dried shrimp, nopales, and pototoes and is served in a mole…
Romoing
Tony Romo became the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys during the 2006 season. He did not experience playoff success, and "Romoing" became a term for choking or failure.…
Rompope (Mexican eggnog)
Rompope ("rohm-POH-pay") is frequently called "Mexican eggnog." It usually contains eggs, milk, vanilla flavoring and rum. Rumpope was first made at a convent in Puebla, Mexico…
Ronaldus Magnus or Ronaldus Maximus (Ronald Reagan’s presidential years)
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981-1989). Many conservatives look back on Reagan's presidency as a halcyon time for conservatism. Conservative radio…
Rong Aid (Rite Aid nickname)
Rite Aid pharmacy stores began in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1862 as Thrif D Discount Center. Rite Aid's chief national competitors include Walgreens (which purchased the New York City-founded…
Roof-to-Table (Rooftop-to-Table)
"Roof-to table" (sometimes written without hyphens as "roof to table" and less-frequently written as "rooftop-to-table") indicates that the food comes from a rooftop…
Root Beer
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Root beerRoot beer, also known as sarsaparilla, is a carbonated beverage (or possibly a type of beer) originally created from sassafras. Root beer, popularized…
Root Beer Float or Ice Cream Float
It has been said that the "root beer float" or "ice cream float" (ice cream plus root beer or cola or other soda) was invented in New York City. This cannot be verified, but…
Rooter (sports enthusiast)
Entry in progress -- B.P. fan Wikipedia: Royal RootersThe original Royal Rooters were a fan club for the Boston Red Sox in the early 20th century. They were led by Michael T. McGreevy, who owned a…
Roscas (Rosca de Reyes—Three Kings’ Cake or Three Kings’ Bread or Kings’ Ring)
"Rosca" means "to curl," and "roscas" are curled or ringed sweet bread with fruits, like a fruitcake. "Roscas" have been cited in Texas newspapers since the…