How am I doing?
Ed Koch made "How am I doing?" famous when he ran successfully for mayor in 1977. However, this was a popular line in the 1930s as well. 17 January 1932, Washington Post, pg.…
Time/Weather
How Staten Island got its name (“Is that an island?” joke)
Staten Island was named in honor of the States General in the Netherlands, but an alternative joke etymology spread in the 1930s and 1940s and is still told. The Dutch explorers came into New York…
Howard Beacher (inhabitant of Howard Beach. Queens)
"Howard Beacher” is the name of an inhabitant of Howard Beach, in the borough of Queens. The name “Howard Beacher” has been cited in print since at least 1930. Wikipedia: Howard Beach,…
Howdy (“Howdy, Pardner!”)
"Howdy" is simply from "How do you?" and dates to back well before the Texas became independent from Mexico. "Old Howdy" or William Harrison Martin (1822-1898) was a…
Howdy Arabia (Texas nickname)
"Howdy Arabia" (howdy + Saudi Arabia) has been printed on many images. Both Texas and Saudi Arabia have oil, and also fundamentalist religious beliefs. "Howdy Arabia" can refer…
HOWL! (Festival of East Village Artists)
"Howl" is the title of a 1955 poem by Allen Ginsberg. HOWL! is the Festival of East Village Arts, a week-long August celebration first held in 2003. 2005's festival celebrated the…
Howlapeño (howl + jalapeño)
"Howlapeño" (howl + jalapeño) is a portmanteau term that has been infrequently used. "Howlapeño – The painful aftermath of jalapeños or other hot peppers. See also Haburnahole…
Howlers (Jalapeño Howlers or Texas Howlers)
"Howlers" (also called "Jalapeño Howlers" or Texas Howlers") are "jalapeño poppers." They're sliced jalapeños, breaded and deep fried, often combined with…
Huaraches (sandal- or shoe-shaped Mexican appetizers)
Huaraches (Spanish for "sandals" or "shoes") are thick, oval-shaped corn tortillas, often topped with meat, cheese, beans, and cooked cactus leaves. The name…
Hub of the Plains (Lubbock nickname)
Lubbock has been called the "Hub of the Plains" (or "Hub City of the Plains" or "Hub City") since at least 1909. Oliver Wendell Holmes, in his book The Autocrat of the…
Huckdummy (Hucky Dummy)
"Huckdummy" (also "huck dummy") or "huckydummy" (also "hucky-dummy" or "hucky dummy") is a cowboy's name for baking-powder biscuits with…
Hudson Heights
"Hudson Heights" is not to be confused with "Hudson Square." It's located near Washington Heights in northern Manhattan. "Longhill" is an older name for the area.…
Hudson Mustache
The term "Hudson (River) mustache" was popularized in the New York (NY) Times article "River Grime? Triathletes Are Swimming in It" by Lindsay Crouse, published on August 3.…
Hudson River Ale (water)
"Hudson River ale" is a jocular slang term that was used in some New York City restaurants for "water." The seldom-used term was cited in print in 1936 and is of historical…
Hudson River Crawl
"Hudson River Crawl" was the name that swimmers of the Hudson River would apply to...well, I'll let them used their own words for it.…
Hudson River Derby or New York Derby (New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC)
The "Hudson River Derby" (or "New York Derby") is a soccer match between the New York Red Bulls and the New York City Football Club (NYCFC). NYCFC was formed in 2013 and played…
Hudson River Rivalry or Battle of the Hudson River (New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers)
A National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils (1982-) and the New York Rangers has been called the "Hudson River rivalry" or the "Battle of the Hudson River." A…
Hudson River Rivalry or Battle of the Hudson River (New Jersey Nets vs. New York Knicks)
A National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils (1982-) and the New York Rangers has been called the "Hudson River rivalry" or the "Battle of the Hudson River." A…
Hudson River: American Rhine (Hudson River nickname)
New York's Hudson River was frequently compared to Germany's famous Rhine River in 19th century accounts. THe Hudson was called "the Rhine of America" in 1836. The term…
Hudson Square
"Hudson Square" is a new name and should not be confused with "Hudson Heights." Hudson Square is located near SoHo. 18 April 1982, New York Times, pg. AS19:HUDSON SQUAREAN…