Son Of a Bitch, Everything’s Real (“sober” backronym)
"S.O.B.E.R. = Son Of A Bitch, Everything's Real" was published in the book Stepping Stones to Recovery for Young People: Experience the Miracle of 12 Step Recovery (1991), edited by…
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health
Son-of-a-Bitch Stew (Son-of-a-Gun Stew)
"Son-of-a-bitch stew" (or the more politely titled "son-of-a-gun stew") is a cowboy stew with a little bit of everything in it. In the closing years of the range (by the early…
Sonny Mae or Sony Mae (State of New York Mortgage Agency or SONYMA)
The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) was created in 1970. The nickname "Sonny Mae" has been cited in print since at least August 1981 and "Sony Mae" since at least…
Sonoran Hot Dog (bacon-wrapped hot dog)
"Bacon-wrapped hot dogs" have been featured in newspaper recipes since at least the 1960s. Usually these were bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled sausages. The "Sonoran hot dog" (also…
Sons of Anarchy (Jets defensive line nickname)
The New York Jets football team nicknamed their defensive line the New York Sack Exchange in 1981. The 2013 defensive line of Damon Harrison (nose tackle), Sheldon Richardson (defensive end) and…
Sons of the Wild Jackass
George Higgins Moses (1869-1944), a senator from New Hampshire, spoke at a Washington dinner of New England manufacturers in November 1929 and described some insurgent Republican senators as…
Sopaipilla (Sopapilla)
The sopaipilla (or "sopapilla") was declared in 2003 (with the law expiring in 2005) the official state pastry of Texas, along with the strudel. Yes, there are two official state…
Sope (appetizer)
"Sopes" are appetizers that are served in many Tex-Mex restaurants; it is believed that "sope" originated in Guadalajara, Mexico. Sopes have been described as little tortilla…
SoPo (south of power)
Hurricane Sandy hit New York City in the evening of October 29, 2012. The Con Ed power company experienced many problems and power went out over lower Manhattan for several days. Manhattan below…
Soppin’ Sauce (Sopping Sauce; Sop Sauce; Moppin’ & Soppin’ Sauce; Mop & Sop Sauce)
Soppin' sauce (also "sopping sauce" or "sop sauce") is, to some, just a Texas term for a type of barbecue sauce or "finishing sauce." A "mop sauce" is…
Sorority
The word "sorority" (from the latin soror, or "sister") has had a long use meaning a sisterhood or a club of women. Sororities at American colleges began in 1851; several…
Sorority Sauce (ranch dressing)
"Sorority sauce" has been a slang nickname for "ketchup" since at least World War II. Since about 2006, ranch dressing has been called "sorority sauce" at Texas Tech…
Sorrento Cheese Festival
New York has an annual Italian Cheesse Festival on Mulberry Street. http://www.gothamgazette.com/events/June 17, 2006Sorrento Cheese FestivalThe annual cheese festival in Little Italy features…
SOS (sauce on the side)
"SOS" is a famous distress signal. In restaurant lingo, "SOS" means "sauce on the side" -- that is, sauce on the side of the plate and not directly on top of the food.…
SoSo (South of Southtown, San Antonio)
"SoSo" is the "south of Southtown" neighborhood of San Antonio. The neighborhood nickname -- like so many others -- is inspired by New York City's 1960s-era neighborhood…
Soubrette Row (West 39th Street)
A "soubrette" is what a female stock character in opera and theatre was called in the late 1800s and early 1899s. New York City had a "Soubrette Row," where women employed in…
Soul Food
The term "soul food" is used in Harlem, but it is not clear where the term originated. "Soul food" is cited in print from at least 1960. Wikipedia: Soul foodSoul food is an…
Soup Jockey (waiter or waitress)
A "soup jockey" is restaurant slang for a waiter or waitress. "Soup jockey" appears to have first been used in railroad dining cars to refer to a cook -- not a waiter or…
Soup of the Devil (Devil’s Soup) (=chili)
Chili has been called the "soup of the devil" or "devil's soup." Yes, it can be hot. The term "soup of the devil" supposedly dates to the 19th century, but the…
Soup of the Night (soupe de la nuit; soupe du soir; soup du soir)
There is a "soup of the day" (soup du jour) served in many restaurants, but not "soup of the night" (soupe de la nuit; soupe du soir; soup du soir). "Soup of the…