El Chuco or Chucotown (El Paso nickname)
El Paso is infrequently called "El Chuco" or "Chuco Town"/"Chucotown." The term comes from the word "pachuco," a Mexican Spanish Caló dialect word of…
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health
El Pasoan (inhabitant of El Paso)
"El Pasoan" is the name of an inhabitant of El Paso, Texas. The name "El Pasoan" has been cited in print since at least 1886. Wikipedia: DemonymEl Paso → El Pasoan Wikipedia:…
El Presidente (banana republic dictator)
"El Presidente is Spanish for "the president." The term often describes a dictator of a banana republic. The Woody Allen comedy film Bananas (1971) made references to 'El…
Electile Dysfunction (ED)
"Electile dysfunction' (ED) is a humorous political term, taken from the term "erectile dysfunction." The term "electile dysfunction" became popular about November 10,…
Election Wagering (“peanut-and-toothpick” bet)
New Yorkers bet on more than the horses. Around 1900, it was popular to bet on election results. Some bets involved money, and others involved performance. The peanut-and-toothpick bet required the…
Elemelons (elements + melons; watermelon, firemelon, earthmelon, airmelon)
Watermelon exists, so many people think there should be firemelon, earthmelon and airmelon (water-fire-earth-air + melon), all called the "elemelons" (elements + melons). "The…
Elena Ruz Sandwich (Elena Ruiz Sandwich; Elena Ruth; Marie Elena; Cuban Turkey Sandwich)
The Elena Ruz sandwich (sometimes called "Elena Ruiz" or "Elena Ruth" or "Marie Elena" or simply "Cuban turkey sandwich") usually consists of turkey, cream…
Elephant Ears (pastry)
"Elephant ears" are sugary, fried dough pastries that are popular at state fairs. In Mexican bakeries, the same pastries are called orejas (ears). Other names for elephant ears include…
Elephant’s Foot (450 W. 33rd Street, or 5 Manhattan West)
The building at 450 West 33rd Street in Manhattan was completed in 1970. It was renovated and painted beige in the 1980s. The massive 16-story structure was nicknamed "elephant's…
Elevator Pitch (Elevator Speech; Elevator Statement)
An "elevator pitch" (or "elevator speech' or "elevator statement") is a short speech -- like what you'd say to a person during the brief time on an elevator. The…
Eleven O’Clock Number (11 O’Clock Number)
An "11 o'clock number/song" -- also called a "10 o'clock number/song" -- is a showstopper, usually sung by a musical's star as the second-to-last song in the…
Eleven O’Clock Song (11 O’Clock Song)
An "11 o'clock number/song" -- also called a "10 o'clock number/song" -- is a showstopper, usually sung by a musical's star as the second-to-last song in the…
Eleventh Commandment (“Mind your business”)
There are Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Bible. but people often add others, usually in jest. A political Eleventh Commandment in the 1880s was "Thou shalt not get caught." A political…
Eleventh Commandment (“Thou shalt not get caught”)
There are Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Bible. but people often add others, usually in jest. A popular Eleventh Commandment in the early 1800s was "Mind your business." A political…
Eleventh Commandment (“Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican”)
There are Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Bible. but people often add others, usually in jest. A popular Eleventh Commandment in the early 1800s was "Mind your business." A political…
Elginite (inhabitant of Elgin)
"Elginite” is the name of an inhabitant of Elgin, Texas. The name “Elginite” has been cited in print since at least 1887. Wikipedia: Elgin, TexasElgin ( /ˈɛlɡɨn/) is a city in…
Elimination Diet (Exclusion Diet)
The term "elimination diet" was popularized by Dr. Albert Holmes Rowe (1889-1970) in his books Food Allergy (1931) and Elimination Diets and the Patient's Allergies: A Handbook of…
Elite Eight (eight remaining tournament players or teams)
"Elite eight" is what the final eight teams or players in a tournament are sometimes called. The term "elite eight" has been used in the Illinois high school boys'…
Ellis Island of the West (Galveston nickname)
Galveston became an alternative to Ellis Island (the immigration center in New York City), and it took in many immigrants from about 1900 until the start of World War I. The immigration of Jews to…
Elmhurst Earthworm (E or EE subway line)
New York City's "EE" train (now the "E" train) services Elmhurst Avenue in Queens. According to a post by Bill Newkirk on SubChat.com on May 18, 2007, the EE was nicknamed…