1920s Vaudeville/Ragtime “Big Apple” Citations
The Chicago (IL) Defender is an African-American publication that has a national circulation. "Ragtime" Billy Tucker (a vaudeville/ragtime performer) wrote for the Defender from Los…
Food/Drink
1925-1929: “Big Apple” in The Inter-State Tattler
The Inter-State Tattler is an African American newspaper from New York City that existed from 1922 to about 1932. There were four columns containing "Big Apple," and these occurred before…
1928: “On the Big Apple” column
In 1928, the New York Morning Telegraph ran a daily column of tidbits from the New York racetracks. Gerald Cohen spotted the first column. It is almost certain, given his long use of the term, that…
1931: “Around The Big Apple” column
Turf Play, a Chicago periodical, probably provides us with a third John J. Fitz Gerald "Big Apple"-titled column. On November 7, 1931, page 15, is "Around The Big Apple, By Mr.…
1963: John J. Fitz Gerald obituaries
John J. Fitz Gerald died during a newspaper strike in New York City. He never received proper credit for "the Big Apple." Much historical work on the Fitz Gerald family has been done by…
19th Hole (Nineteenth Hole)
A golf course usually has eighteen holes. THe "nineteenth hole" ("19th hole") is a jocular nickname for the clubhouse bar or restaurant, or a bar or a restaurant near the golf…
2 Dow Shay (two show day)
"Two dow shay" is a spoonerism for "two show day." Two shows a day is a business day in the theater, and the joke is that it's so exhausting that even the term can't…
2-3 (Austin’s 78723 zip code)
The "2-3" is hip-hop for the last two digits of Austin's zip code -- 78723. HoustonSoRealAustinSoReal - Check this article on rap from the 2-3In Austin, zip codes are quite…
20-20-20 Rule (for eyes)
The "20-20-20 rule" for relieving eye strain (often caused by extended computer use) is that after 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at objects at least 20 feet away. The…
2005: Statement from a co-worker of Charles Gillett
This was sent to me, and I got the OK to post it here. From: Gilbert Tauber To: bapopik@aol.comSent: Thu, 16 Jun 2005 01:55:48 +0200Subject: Message from Big Apple web site visitor Dear Mr.…
3-6-3 Rule
The "3-6-3" rule or formula in banking meant that a bank gives 3% interest on accounts, charges 6% interest on loans, and the banker is to be found on the golf course by 3 p.m. The…
3-and-B (basketball player providing 3-point shooting and blocks)
A "3-and-D" basketball player provides three point shooting accuracy and defense. The term ""3-and-B" refers to a basketball player who provides three point shooting…
3-and-D (basketball player providing 3-point shooting and defense)
A "3-and-D" (or "three-and-D") basketball player is someone (usually a wing player, such as a small forward or a shooting guard) who can hit three-point shots and who can play…
3:05 Cafecito (from 305, the Miami area code)
"305" is the telephone area code of Miami (South Florida), and on March 5th (3/05), "305 Day" is celebrated -- especially at 3:05 p.m. "305 Miami's Areacode" was…
305 Day (from 305, the Miami area code)
"305" is the telephone area code of Miami (South Florida), and on March 5th (3/05), "305 Day" is celebrated -- especially at 3:05 p.m. "305 Miami's Areacode" was…
311 (non-emergency call)
311 was introduced in 2003 to handle non-emergency calls and take the burden off 911. It helps callers to make New York City understandable. Too much noise in the neighborhood? Call 311. Fire? Call…
330 Ramp Capital
The blog Zero Hedge, on April 8, 2013, published "Invest In '3:30 PM Ramp Capital LP' For 26.6% Annualized Outperformance." The New York Stock Exchange closes at 4 p.m.; at 3:30…
40 Acres (University of Texas at Austin)
The University of Texas at Austin began with forty acres. People still talk of UT as "the forty acres." "Forty acres and a mule" was a promise supposedly made after the Civil…
5000 or M5 (dance move)
A "dip" dance move has also been called "Death drop" (or "Deathdrop"), "Shablam," "Shawam" (or "Shawham") and "5000." At the…
5GFlu (5G + flu)
During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many people questioned what the coronavirus was. They believed that the coronavirus was essentially the flu, plus the effects of 5G technology. The term…