Great Wall of Texas (border wall)
The proposed "Great Wall of Texas" is a border wall to prevent illegal immigration from Mexico. The name borrows from the famous Great Wall of China. In the 1980s, a Great Wall of Texas…
Art/Sculpture
Great White North (Arctic; Canada)
The Arctic and later the entire country of Canada have been called the "Great White North." "The reports that Lord Lonsdale was frozen to death in 'the great white…
Great White South (Antarctica)
The Arctic and later the entire country of Canada have been called the "Great White North." "The reports that Lord Lonsdale was frozen to death in 'the great white…
Great White Way (Broadway nickname)
"Great White Way" has been the most popular nickname for the Broadway theater district in New York City. "The Great White Way" was originally the title of a 1901 book by Albert…
Great White Way (Broadway)
"Great White Way" has been the most popular nickname for the Broadway theater district in New York City. "The Great White Way" was originally the title of a 1901 book by Albert…
Greater Fool Theory
The "Greater Fool Theory" applies to a mania, such as for internet stocks (in the 1990s) or for real estate (in the 1970s). The investing fundamentals of holding that asset might be poor,…
Greater New York
"Greater New York" was a term used much in the 1890s when the unification of the boroughs was being discussed. The unification occurred in 1898. It was used after 1898. In 1903, an early…
Greater New York Orchid Show
The Greater New York Orchid Show has been held annually (since 1982) by the Greater New York Orchid Society. The event had been held at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, but recently it…
Greater Recession
The "Great Depression" is the popular name for the economic crisis of the 1930s; the term "Great Recession" has been used since the Great Depression for smaller economic dips,…
Greatest Depression
The period from 1929 until the end of the 1930s has been termed the"Great Depression," but some have also called it the "Greatest Depression." The modern term of "Greatest…
Greatest Free Show on Earth (Mardi Gras in New Orleans)
The annual Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been called the "greatest free show on earth." "Biggest free show on earth" has been cited in print since at least 1937, and…
Greatly Ridiculous Exam (“GRE” backronym)
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)is a standardized test that is required for admission to many graduate schools. The GRE has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname of "Great…
Greece of the Caribbean (Puerto Rico in financial crisis)
A comparison of any place to the country of Greece can be taken two ways. If the comparison is to ancient Greece, then it's a compliment, referencing democracy and advanced education. If the…
Greedy Geezer
The term "greedy geezer" (old people who demand government entitlements) was coined in The New Republic, March 28, 1988, to describe the front-cover story, "Talkin' Bout My…
Greedy One Percent (Grand Old Party or GOP nickname)
"Greedy One Percent" is a slogan that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and buttons. The Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 featured the slogan, "We are the…
Greek “Anthora” Coffee Cup
New York City used to have many Greek diners. In the early 1960s, the famous Greek "Anthora" coffee cup was designed. It's a misspelling of "amphora." Since the 1990s, many…
Greek Independence Day Parade
The Greek Independence Day Parade began in 1940, making it one of New York's oldest ethnic parades. It celebrates the independence of Greece from Turkey. 25 March 1940, New York Times, pg.…
Greek Nachos (Mediterranean Nachos; Pita Nachos; Pitachos)
"Greek nachos" (also called "Mediterranean nachos") is another variation of Tex-Mex nachos. Tortilla chips are usually replaced with pita bread and feta cheese is used. Other…
Greek Salad
"Greek Salad" was probably named this in either New York or Chicago, two cities with large populations of Greek immigrants. In Greece itself, it is simply "salad" or…
Greekovery (Greek + recovery)
"Grexit" (Greece/Greek + exit) was a popular term in 2012, when it was feared that a poor Greek economy would force the nation to exit the euro zone. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras…