The Greek mythological figure of Atlas holding up the heavens is a 1937 sculpture by Lee Lawrie (1877-1963) that stands in front of the International Building of Rockefeller Center, across the…
The political term "Rockefeller Republican" takes its name from Nelson Rockefeller (1908-1979), the Republican governor of New York from 1959 to 1973, who then became vice president of…
"Rockefinger," "Rockefeller salute" and "Rockefeller gesture" are names for the middle finger protruding from a clenched fist -- also called "the finger,"…
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,…
Mail was delivered throughout New York City by a series of pneumatic tubes, from the years 1897 until 1953. The postal workers sending and receiving such mail were dubbed "rocketeers,"…
The Rockettes are New York City's high-kicking dance company. The "Missouri Rockets" began in St, Louis in 1925, and were created by Russell Markert (1899-1990). In 1928, the company…
The Rockettes are New York City's high-kicking dance company. The "Missouri Rockets" began in St, Louis in 1925, and were created by Russell Markert (1899-1990). In 1928, the company…
"Rocks for Jocks" is an introductory geology course, one taken by "jocks" (student athletes) that is supposedly easy to get a good grade and keep the students eligible to play…
"Rocky Road" is a candy or an ice cream flavor of chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. Rocky Road was popularized in California, Oregon and Washington in the 1920s. "Rocky Road A…
"Rodeo" is Spanish for "round up." Pecos claims that it held the first "rodeo" (a spectator event as we know it today) on July 4, 1883. The claim is debated by other…
Mesquite (near Dallas) has been home to Mesquite Championship Rodeo since 1958. In 1993, the Texas Legislature named Mesquite the "Rodeo Capital of Texas." Mesquite Championship Rodeo…
A bagel has been called a "roll with a hole" (or "roll with the hole") since at least 1944. The rhyming "roll-with-a-hole" made a newspaper headline by at least 1972.…
Coney Island has long been famous for its Cyclone roller coaster, first opened in 1927. America's first popular "roller coaster" amusement ride has long been thought to have been the…
"Romainetic" (romaine lettuce + romantic) is a portmanteau word that is somewhat popular on Valentine's Day (February 14). "The gigolo, now in his salad days, was still…
Washington, District of Columbia, is located on the Potomac River. Washington is infrequently nicknamed "Rome on the Potomac," after Rome, Italy, and its ancient empire. In the late…
The city of Rome, in New York's Oneida County, once produced one-tenth of the copper used in the United States. The Rome Brass & Copper Co. advertised that Rome was "The Brass and…
Romeritos is a Mexican herb that resembles rosemary. The Mexican dish of "romeritos" ("Romeritos en Revoltijo") adds dried shrimp, nopales, and pototoes and is served in a mole…
Tony Romo became the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys during the 2006 season. He did not experience playoff success, and "Romoing" became a term for choking or failure.…
Rompope ("rohm-POH-pay") is frequently called "Mexican eggnog." It usually contains eggs, milk, vanilla flavoring and rum. Rumpope was first made at a convent in Puebla, Mexico…
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981-1989). Many conservatives look back on Reagan's presidency as a halcyon time for conservatism. Conservative radio…