Slave Codes (1850s)
A new explanation for the "Big Apple," first proposed in the 2000s, claims that the nickname arose from pre-Civil War slave codes used in the underground railroad (a network of secret…
Sports/Games
Slaw Dog (Slaw Dawg; Slawdog; Slawdawg)
A "slaw dog" ("slaw dawg" for the Southern pronunciation, also sometimes written as one word) is simply cole slaw placed on a hot dog. It cannot be known who first put cole slaw…
SleazyJet or SleezyJet (easyJet nickname)
easyJet (often written as "EasyJet") is a British multinational low-cost airline group. An obvious easyJet nickname is "SleazyJet" (sometimes spelled "SleezyJet").…
Sleep-wokking (sleepwalking + wokking)
"Wok" can sound like "walk." Some people experience sleepwalking, and "sleep-wokking" has become a joke. "While we’re talking about sleep.. I woke up this…
Sleeping Beauty
Entry in progress -- B.P. InvestopediaWhat Does Sleeping Beauty Mean?A company that is prime for takeover but has not been approached by an acquiring company. Investopedia explains Sleeping BeautyA…
Sleeping Policeman (speed bump)
A speed bump has been called a "sleeping policeman" (often in the plural "sleeping policemen") since at least 1968, when it was used in Jamaica. A "sleeping policeman"…
Sleeping, Talking, Unlimited-texting, Dreaming, Yawning (“study” backronym).
"Sleeping, Talking, Unlimited texting, Dreaming, Yawning" -- a backronym (back acronym) of the word "study" -- has been printed on T-shirts and GIFs. The "study"…
Sleeve-buttons (fishballs)
ENtry in progress -- B.P. 30 December 1873, National Republican (Washington, DC), “The American Restaurant” (Scribner’s Monthly), pg. 1, col. 6: When in a second-rate restaurant a guest asks…
SleezyJet or SleazyJet (easyJet nickname)
easyJet (often written as "EasyJet") is a British multinational low-cost airline group. An obvious easyJet nickname is "SleazyJet" (sometimes spelled "SleezyJet").…
Slice (not piece) of pizza; Square pizza
New York City pizzerias usually (though not always) sell pizza by the slice. The practice originated with the pizza itself, in Naples, Italy. The origin of the square pizza is less clear, but see…
Slider or Slyder (mini-hamburger)
"Sliders" (or "slyders") are mini-hamburgers emerged on the New York restaurant scene in the 1990s. "Slyders" have been trademarked by the White Castle restaurant…
SLIF (Sorry Liver, It’s Friday)
Many people apologize to their liver before drinking. "Dear Liver, I'm sorry but it is Friday at 5p" was posted on Twitter on April 10, 2009. "Dear Liver: I'm Sorry. :(…
Slime Square (slime + Times Square)
The Times Square area of New York City began deteriorating in the 1950s; in the 1970s, the area was a center for pornography and crime. The nickname "Slime Square" (slime + Times Square)…
Slime Warner (Time Warner nickname)
For those who don't like their Time Warner cable/internet service, "Slime Warner" has been used as a company nickname.…
Sling (Singapore Sling)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Epicurious.com: Food DictionaryslingAn alcoholic drink made with lemon juice, powdered sugar and a LIQUOR such as BRANDY, GIN, VODKA or WHISKEY. Slings are usually served…
Sloppy Dog (sloppy joe + hot dog)
A "sloppy dog" (sloppy joe + hot dog) is a hot dog with sloppy joe sauce. "Sloppy joe hot dogs" was cited in print in 1958. "Sloppy dogs" was cited in print in 1972.…
Sloppy Nachos & Sloppy Joes
Nachos are a well-known snack, but what are Sloppy Nachos? "Sloppy Joe" was the name of a famous bar in Havana, Cuba in the 1920s. After Prohibition ended in the United States, the bar…
Sloppy Saturday
"Sloppy Saturday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Sloppy Saturday” has been cited in print since at…
Sloshed Saturday
"Sloshed Saturday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Sloshed Saturday” has been cited in print since at…
Slow Food
"Slow food" is a term meant to counter "fast food." The slow food movement was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in the mid-1980s, after protests were made over the opening of a…