Lechislator (lecher/lecherous + legislator); Lechislature
"Lechislator" (lecher/lecherous + legislator) and "lechislature" (lecher/lecherous + legislature) are portmanteau words that have been infrequently used. "LECHISLATOR:…
Time/Weather
Led Robster or Lead Robster (Red Lobster nickname)
Red Lobster seafood restaurant was founded in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. The spoonerism of the Red Lobster name -- "Led Robster" or "Lead Robster" -- has been cited in print…
Lee Harvey [lastname] (crime patsy nickname)
Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963) was the accused lone assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, although Oswald called himself a patsy and said that he never shot anyone.…
Leftard (left + retard)
"Leftard" (left + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political right against the political left. "Leftard" has been cited in print since August 2004. Similar terms…
Leftosphere (left blogosphere)
The "lefttosphere" is the "left blogosphere," containing blogs of the political left. The term "leftosphere" has been in print since at least March 2006. A similar…
Lefturd (left + turd)
"Lefturd” (left + turd) is an epithet used by some on the political right against the political left. “Lefturd” has been cited in print since July 2002. Similar terms include…
Leftwaffe (left + Luftwaffe)
"Leftwaffe" or "leftwaffe" (left + Luftwaffe) is an epithet used by some on the political right against the political lett. The Luftwaffe was the Nazi air force in World War II.…
Legacy Media
The term "legacy media" means the "old media" or the "print media" (newspapers and magazines), as opposed to the "new media" (websites and blogs). The term…
Legacy Robe (Gypsy Robe)
The "gypsy robe" is a Broadway musical tradition that has nothing to do with the famous musical Gypsy (1959). The robe (a negligee) originally began with the musical Gentlemen Prefer…
Lego Cookery
Felipe Fernández-Armesto, a British historian, wrote in Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food (2002): "Fusion food is Lego cookery. Only the revolution in availability makes it possible…
Lehman 2.0
The financial firm of Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy in September 2008 -- the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Any other large bankruptcy or great financial collapse (Greece, for example)…
Lehman Moment
Lehman Brothers was a financial firm that collapsed quickly in 2008; its September 2008 bankruptcy filing created a world financial panic. The term "Lehman moment" (or "Lehman…
Lemon (“Hand someone a lemon,” “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade”)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Lemon lawLemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.…
Lemon Chicken
Chinese "lemon chicken" was the specialty of Manhattan's Pearl's Chinese Restaurant, originally at 148 West 48th Street and then, in 1973, moved to 38 West 48th Street. The 1969…
Lemonade (or, the New York Game)
"Here we come!""Where are you from?""New York.""What's your trade?""Lemonade." These are the opening lines to a game of charades that has…
Lene Town (Abilene nickname)
"Lene Town" is a hip-hop nickname for the city of Abilene. There is a "Lene Town" music label in Abilene, and some recordings mention "Lene Town" in either the title…
Leopard-spotting or Leoparding (charred “leopard spots” on pizza)
"Leopard spots" (also called "leopard-spotting" or "leoparding") are the black charred spots on the end crust (cornicione) of a pizza. The term is sometimes used for…
Leprechaun Cookie
A "leprechaun cookie" is one specialty that is made for St. Patrick's Day. It's a cookie made to look like a leprechaun -- somewhat similar to gingerbread men. The recipes…
LES (Lower East Side)
Do we have to call it L-E-S? Just like Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC? Is it to remove the offensive word "lower"? "ALLAN RICHMAN on New York's Lower East Side"…
Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps (marching band, 1979-present)
The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps was founded in 1979 as the New York Gay Community Marching Band by Nancy Corporon (music director) and Bob Wolff (general manager). The name change to…