WHO d’état (WHO + coup d’état)
"WHO d'état" (World Health Organization/WHO + coup d'état) is a portmanteau term used by those who believe that the WHO's medical regulations -- for example, the ability…
Buildings/Housing/Parks
Who Owns New York?
"Who Owns New York" is a Columbia University fight song, and it goes like this: Oh, who owns New York?Oh, who owns New York?Oh, who owns New York the people say.Why, we own New York!Yes,…
Who played for Yankees, Knicks and Rangers in the same year?
Eddie Layton, an organist. This trick question became famous when it was crafted into a Trivial Pursuit question. 3 October 1990, New York Times, pg. B1:His name answers a Trivial Pursuit question:…
Whole Foodie (Whole Foods + foodie)
Whole Foods Market is a foods supermarket specializing in foods that are supposedly healthy, such as organic and locally grown food. "Whole Foodie" (Whole Foods + foodie) is a term to…
Whole Nine Yards (summary; Capt. Richard Stratton’s 1955 attestation)
"The whole nine yards" has been the great American etymological mystery of the second-half of the twentieth century. The expression is similar to many other expressions, such as the…
Whole Paycheck (Whole Foods nickname)
Whole Foods started its first store in Austin, Texas, in 1980. The food retailer is known for its organic foods -- and high prices. The nickname "Whole Paycheck" was applied by at least…
Whole Wallet (Whole Foods nickname)
Whole Foods started its first store in Austin, Texas, in 1980. The food retailer is known for its organic foods -- and high prices. The nickname "Whole Wallet" was applied by at least…
Wholetail (wholesale + retail)
"Wholetail" (wholesale + retail) is a sale of products or services to an end user at wholesale (or near wholesale) prices. "Wholetail" has been cited in print since at least…
Whoopee Row (West 133rd Street)
"Whoopee Row" was West 133rd Street in Harlem, between Lenox Avenue and Seventh Avenue. Many night clubs, speakeasies and fried chicken restaurants were located there. "'Whoopee…
Whoopie Pie (Whoopee Pie)
Whoopie pies (also spelled "whoopee") are often claimed to be a Pennsylvania Dutch treat, but dessert cookbook author Nancy Baggett found recipes in Pennsylvania cookbooks since only the…
Whore Derve (hors d’oeuvre)
"Hors d'oeuvres" is difficult for many Americans to spell. The term has nothing to do with whores, but there are jokes. "First the simple whore derves" was printed in The…
Whore Foods (Whole Foods nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P.Whole Foods Market Wikipedia: Whole Foods MarketWhole Foods Market, Inc. is an American foods supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas. Founder John Mackey…
Whore’s Breakfast or Chorus Girl’s Breakfast (cigarette and New York Morning Telegraph)
The New York (NY) Morning Telegraph used to be the Broadway Bible, and it was said that a "chorus girl's breakfast" consisted of the Morning Telegraph and a cigarette. The term…
Whorespondent or Whorrespondent (whore + correspondent)
"Whorespondent" or "whorrespondent" (whore + correspondent) is a term used by people who don't have much faith in news correspondents. "The Communists of the Old Left,…
WHOtube (YouTube nickname)
YouTube is an American video-sharing website that began in February 2005. During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, YouTube developed a policy that it would not allow videos that went against the…
Why I am running
On June 1st, right at the deadline, I filed with the Campaign Finance Board to be a candidate for Manhattan Borough President. I had intended to run for Public Advocate. Nothing could be easier.…
Wi-Fried (Wi-Fi + fried)
"Wi-Fi" is a wireless networking technology. Many people people that Wi-Fi radiation is dangerous and have dubbed it "WiFry" (Wi-Fry) or "WhyFry" (Why-Fry). "Its…
Wichitan (inhabitant of Wichita Falls)
"Wichitan” is the name of an inhabitant of Wichita Falls, Texas. The name “Wichitan" has been cited in print since at least 1910. Wikipedia: Wichita Falls, TexasWichita Falls is a…
Wicked Hot Chocolate & Wicked Fun Bonbons
Jacques Torres was the pastry chef at Le Cirque. In December 2000, he opened a chocolate factory in Brooklyn, and in the fall of 2004 he opened another one at King Street and Hudson Street in…
Widget (New York World Journal Tribune)
The "Widget" was the short-lived New York World Journal Tribune. It marked the sad end of many once-proud New York City newspapers.…