Poor Man’s Butter (avocado)
The avocado was called the "poor man's butter" in Latin American countries, where the rich, buttery texture and mild nutty flavor was used in place of butter fat. "Poor…
Neighborhoods
Poor Man’s Fertilizer (snow)
Snow -- especially a late snow in the spring -- has long been called the "poor man's manure" or "poor man's fertilizer." The snow contains nitrogen that helps plant…
Poor Man’s Gold (silver nickname)
Silver is sometimes called the "poor man's gold" because silver is cheaper to buy. The term "poor man's gold" was used in 1932 by Rene Leon, but other metals (copper,…
Poor Man’s Harvard (CCNY nickname)
City College of New York used to be known with pride as the "poor man's Harvard." The nickname was popular in the 1930s-1950s. Valparaiso University (Indiana) had used this nickname…
Poor Man’s Manure (snow)
Snow -- especially a late snow in the spring -- has long been called the "poor man's manure" or "poor man's fertilizer." The snow contains nitrogen that helps plant…
Poor Man’s Miami Beach (Brighton Beach)
Brighton Beach attracted an elderly population (who, seemingly, couldn't afford to go to Miami Beach). The nickname "poor man's Miami Beach" has been applied to Brighton Beach…
Poor Man’s Oyster (mussel; snail; clam)
There have been many seafood claims on the term "poor man's oyster," with mussels, snails and clams all claiming the title. ("Poor man's oyster" is also the name of a…
Poor Man’s Perrier (seltzer or club soda)
Perrier is a brand of bottled mineral water from France that is sold in green bottles. Several drinks have been called the "poor man's Perrier." Seltzer has been called "poor…
Poor Man’s Riviera (Coney Island)
Coney Island has provided a beach and entertainment for everyone -- rich and poor alike. The nickname "poor man's Riviera" (or "working man's Riviera" or…
Poor Man’s Virus (COVID-19)
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has been called a "poor person's virus" and, occasionally, a "poor man's virus." A rich person can isolate, while a poor person…
Poor Old Nigger Thinks It’s A Cadillac (Pontiac backronymic nickname)
Pontiac is an automobile brand that began in 1926 and was discontinued by General Motors in 2010. The name "Pontiac" was associated with a racial slur backronym (back acronym) --…
Poor Person’s Virus (COVID-19)
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has been called a "poor person's virus." A rich person can isolate, while a poor person might have to work in dangerous conditions. A rich person…
Poor, Hungry and Determined (“Ph.D.” backronym)
"Poor, hungry and determined" is a jocular backronym (back acronym) for "Ph.D." "Poor, hungry and determined (PHD)" was printed in The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)…
Poor, Hungry and Driven (“Ph.D.” backronym)
"Poor, hungry and driven" is a jocular backronym (back acronym) for "Ph.D." Mario Gabelli, founder of Gabelli Asset Management Company Investors in Rye, New York, said in the…
Poor, Hungry Doctor (“Ph.D.” backronym)
A doctor can hold a Ph.D. degree or an M.D. degree. However, someone with an M.D. (medicine) is more likely to make more money than someone with a Ph.D. in English literature. A popular saying…
Pop-Up Bar
A "pop-up bar" is a bar that is intended to be temporary, such as one for a concert or for a sporting event (such as the Olympics). "Pop-up bar" has been cited in print since at…
Pop-Up Café
The New York City Department of Transportation initiated a pilot "pop-up café" plan in the summer of 2010 and then started some cafés in 2011. Parking spaces are removed to create small…
Pop-Up Hotel
The "pop-up hotel" follows a trend opf pther pop-ups, such as the pop-up restaurant. Pop-up hotels are usually set up for specific events, such as a sports festival or a music festival.…
Pop-Up Restaurant
A "pop-up restaurant" is a temporary restaurant, often established for a certain event or season. The term "pop-up restaurant" has been cited in print since at least 2006;…
Popcorn at the movies
Eating popcorn at a movie theater is a popular tradition now, but popcorn wasn't always served at the movies. Samuel M. Rubin ("Sam the Popcorn Man," who died in 2004 at age 85) is…