Tombs Prison (and the “Bridge of Sighs”)
The Tombs prison was built in 1838 and resembled Egyptian architecture. The "Bridge of Sighs" was the bridge that connected it with the Criminal Courts Building. (The name is taken from a…
Time/Weather
Tombstone Agency
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was created in 1958 and is the national aviation authority in the United States. Mary Schiavo, an inspector general at that U.S. Department of…
TomTato (tomato + potato)
Entry in progress -- B.P. TwitterDennis Pang@DennisPangOohh, I remember that day! "Tomtato"? ½ tomato, ½ potato? LoL ;P RT @VanFoodTour: In remembrance of @theCornerSuite…
Tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet)
"Tonkatsu" (or "ton-katsu") is a Japanese dish of deep-fried pork cutlet. The western-style dish was invented about 1900, possibly at the Rengatei restaurant in Tokyo.…
Tonkatsu Sauce
Tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlets) is usually served with a special tonkatsu sauce. The sauce is like a Worcestershire sauce, but with vegetables and fruits added, such as tomatoes, apples, prunes…
Tony Award
The "Tony" award goes annually to Broadway's best. The Broadway theatre award was first given out in 1947. The "Tony" is named after Antoinette Perry (1888-1946),…
Too Stupid for Arby’s (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "Too Stupid for…
Tools of Ignorance (baseball catcher’s equipment)
The "tools of ignorance" are a baseball catcher's equipment, such as the catcher's mask, chest protector and shin guards. 'Tools of ignorance" has been cited in print…
TOOTBLAN (Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop)
TOOTBLAN (Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop) was coined on May 7, 2008, by Tony Jewell on his Chicago Cubs baseball blog, Wrigleyville23. Jewell was describing the poor baserunning of…
Tootsie Roll
It's universally accepted that Leo Hirschfield invented the "Tootsie Roll" in New York City in 1896, naming it after his daughter. That might be correct, but I have a few questions.…
Top Banana & Second Banana
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Top Banana"Top Banana" has multiple meanings. . Top Banana is the starring act in a Vaudeville performance. Originally, the phrase "Top…
Top Dog (a boss or leader)
The term "top dog" means to be the boss (or leader), or to be victorious. The term "top dog in the fight" was cited frequently in the early 1860s. "Whether he's top…
Top Dollar
To get "top dollar" on a used car or other item is to get the best price (the most money) for it -- a dollar amount that can't be topped. The term "top dollar" has been…
Top of Texas (Pampa slogan)
The city of Pampa is the second-largest in the Texas Panhandle, located at the top of Texas. In 1937, Pampa hosted a "Top of Texas Fiesta" (or "Top o' Texas Fiesta"). Pampa…
Top Shelf (premium or best quality liquor)
'Top shelf" means "top notch," or something that is premium or high quality. "Top shelf" has been cited in print since the 19th century, but "top shelf" (or…
Toppy
"Toppy" means that a stock (or the stock market) is at or near a "top," so buying is risky and selling might be in order. "Toppy" can be a matter of opinion; one stock…
Torikatsu or Tori Katsu (Chicken Katsu)
"Tonkatsu" is a Japanese dish of deep-fried pork cutlets. The cutlets are coated with panko, a Japanese brand of flaky bread crumbs. Chicken cutlets -- instead of pork -- are often made,…
Tornado Alley
Texas is in the "Tornado Alley" that includes several states. The weather term dates from at least 1948. Wikipedia: Tornado AlleyTornado Alley is a colloquial term most often used in…
Toronto the Good (Toronto, Canada nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Other Toronto nicknames include "Big Smoke," "Broadway North," "Centre of the Universe," "Hogtown," "Hollywood North,"…
Torpedo Sandwich
Entry in progress -- B.P. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long rolls includes blimpie, bomber, Cuban (medianoche), Dagwood, garibaldi, gondola, grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian,…