Parabuilding
A "parabuilding" is a new building that transforms an existing older building. The term appears to have been coined by architecture critic Herbert Muschamp of the New York Times. (Google…
Work/Businesses
Paradise in the Pines (Crockett slogan)
The city of Crockett in East Texas is located near the Davy Crockett National Forest. Davy Crockett was known as the "king of the wild frontier," and the city of Crockett has advertised…
Paralegal
The "paralegal" (or "para-legal") is not a lawyer, but helps lawyers as a "para-professional." The term began use in the 1960s. The New York Law Journal is not…
Paramount Issue
A "paramount issue" is a political issue that's more important than all others; a "paramount issue" usually involves a war or the economy. The term "paramount…
Parents’ Liberation Day (first day of school)
The first day of school is sometimes jokingly terms "Parent's Liberation Day" or "Parents' Liberation Day." "Parents Liberation Day" was printed in an…
Pareve (Parve)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Epicurious.com: Food Dictionarypareve; parve[PAHR-uh-vuh, PAHR-vuh]A Jewish term describing food made without animal or dairy ingredients. According to KOSHER dietary…
Paris of America (New Orleans nickname)
New Orleans was once a French city, and it has frequently been called the "Paris of America." The nickname "Paris of America" was printed in The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA)…
Paris on the Prairie (Chicago nickname)
St. Louis, Missouri was called "Paris on the Prairie" in 1867. Denver, Colorado was called "Paris on the prairie" in 1894. Daniel Burnham (1846-1912) co-authored a 1909 Plan of…
Paris Texas Platter (migas + French toast)
The Kerbey Lane Cafe in Austin (several locations, originally on Kerbey Lane) is a popular place to eat breakfast (available 24 hours). An inventively named favorite on the breakfast menu is the…
Parisian (inhabitant of Paris, Texas)
"Parisian” is the name of an inhabitant of Paris, Texas. The name “Parisian” has been cited in print since at least 1905. "Parisian," of course, originally refers to a person…
Park and Bark (singing with limited theatrical movement)
"Park and bark" refers to when a singer -- especially in an opera -- parks in a certain place and barks out the music. Modern performances try to eliminate "park-and-bark" by…
Park Avenuer (wealthy/snobby person who lives on Park Avenue)
A person who lives on Park Avenue -- a street known for its wealthy residences -- is a "Park Avenuer" or "Park Avenoor." The term "Park Avenoor" was popularized by…
Park Avenuer (wealthy/snobby person who lives on Park Avenue)
A person who lives on Park Avenue -- a street known for its wealthy residences -- is a "Park Avenuer" or "Park Avenoor." The term "Park Avenoor" was popularized by…
Park Bench Statesman (Park Bench Philosopher)
Bernard Mannes Baruch (1870-1965) was an American financier, statesman and philosopher who advised U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Baruch like to walk along…
Park in the Sky (High Line)
The High Line was a 1.45-mile elevated railroad on the west side of Manhattan, built in the 1930s for commercial warehouse traffic. The High Line ceased to be used by 1980 and was proposed to be…
Park Rowgue (Park Row + rogue)
Park Row in Manhattan is just across from City Hall. In the late 19th century, so many newspapers located in Park Row that it was dubbed "Newspaper Row." Newspaper entertainment columnist…
Parkie (resident of Park Cities of Highland Park/University Park)
A "Parkie" (also lower-case "parkie") is a resident of the Park Cities -- Highland Park and Overland Park. The name "Parkie" (sometimes representing affluent…
Parkie/Parky
A Parks Department employee. It's either "Parkie" or "Parky." It was used more in the past than it is today. American Speech, vol. 16, no. 3, October 1941, pg. 188:PARK AND…
Parking and Barking (singing with limited theatrical movement)
"Park and bark" refers to when a singer -- especially in an opera -- parks in a certain place and barks out the music. Modern performances try to eliminate "park-and-bark" by…
Parking Card
In 2005, the Department of Transportation introduced "parking cards" to some parking meters in New York City. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/parking/municard.htmlWhere to use…