Pay-to-Pray (Sunday parking meter regulations)
Parking meter days-in-effect were extended to Sunday. In 2005, critics labeled the policy "pay-to-pray." "Pay-to-pray" had been used in state politics in 2004 in connection with…
Food/Drink
Pay-What-You-Want (Pay-As-You-Wish)
The economic slump of 2007-2009 resulted in some restaurants not charging any set fees, but having customers on a "pay-what-you-want" basis. The concept is not new -- Clifton's…
PAYGO or PAYG (pay-as-you-go)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: PAYGOPAYGO (pay-as-you-go) is a term used to refer to financing where budgetary restrictions demand paying for expenditures with funds that are made available…
PayPutz (PayPal nickname)
PayPal is an American multinational financial technology company operating an online payments system. Some critics (who don't think it's much of a "pal") have called the company…
PDX (Portland nickname)
The city of Portland is sometimes called "PDX" after the airport code (cited in print since at least 1948-49) for Portland International Airport. In 1987, Portland State University chose…
Pea-pickin’ Minute (Pea-picking Minute)
"Now wait just a pea-picking minute!” means the same as “Now wait just one damned minute!” There is no exact measure of time "Wait a pea pickin' minute" was printed in The…
Peace Dividend
The term "peace dividend" means the extra money that becomes available to a country with a reduced military budget during peacetime. The term was popularized in May 1968, when people…
Peace Pentagon (339 Lafayette Street)
The "Peace Pentagon" at 339 Lafayette Street (Manhattan) is owned by the AJ Muste Memorial Institute. Many peace activist groups have had offices in the building. AJ Muste Memorial…
Peacemaker (Colt revolver)
"The Peacemaker" was the name of an 1873 Colt revolver. It quickly became the most popular pistol in the west. Although "Peacemaker" is a curious name, "Peacemaker"…
Peacemaker or La Mediatrice (oyster loaf)
New Orleans was famous for its oyster loaf in the 19th century. When husbands came home late in New Orleans, they were sure to bring with them a "peacemaker" or "la mediatrice"…
Peacenik
A "peacenik" is someone who opposes war. The term "peacenik" has one citation in 1958, but was popularized in 1962 and throughout the 1960s. Wiktionary: peacenikEtymologypeace…
Peach Capital of Texas (Parker County nickname)
Parker County was declared the "Peach Capital of Texas" by the Texas Legislature in 1991. Weatherford, the county seat of Parker County, is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.…
Peach Melba (Pêche Melba)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Peach MelbaThe Peach Melba is a classic dessert, invented in 1892 or 1893 by the French chef Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel, London to honour the…
Peach Puzzle
"Peach Puzzle" was an unknown dessert until 2007, when Lois Schladerman won the grand prize at the Cook's Country recipe contest. Schladerman said that her mother made peach puzzle…
Peaches and Cream
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Peaches and CreamPeaches and Cream is a dessert made of peaches and cream. It is often served at ice cream stands and float shops. Many types of hard candy,…
Peacock Alley
If you're staying at the Waldorf, perhaps this bit of "alley" history will prove interesting. OSCAR OF THE WALDORFby Karl SchriftgiesserNew York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc.1943Pg.…
Peacock Network (NBC)
NBC (originally the National Broadcasting Company) is sometimes called the "Peacock Network." The peacock symbolized the new color broadcasts and was introduced in the 1950s.…
Peakist
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: peakistNounpeakist (plural peakists)1. A supporter of the peak oil theory, or one who advocates policies that depend on this theory Wikipedia: Peak oilPeak oil…
Peanut Brittle
Peanut brittle is a hard sugar candy that contains peanuts; other brittles have other nuts. "Peanut brittle" was cited in The World (New York, NY), on March 20, 1892. A store in Paterson,…
Peanut Brutal (peanut brittle joke)
Peanut brittle can be hard on teeth, causing many to call it "peanut brutal." The "peanut brutal" joke was cited in 1947 and twice again in 1960 newspapers. Wikipedia: Brittle…