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…
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus
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…
Parklet
The term "parklet" == meaning a small park -- has been cited in print since at least 1967. In 2001, Hamilton (Ontario) began "parking meter parties" at parking spaces. In 2005,…
Parkwanus (Park Slope + Gowanus)
"Parkwanus" (Park Slope + Gowanus) began as a joke on the blog F'ed in Park Slope on June 21, 2013: "Given the quality of Dino's BBQ, I feel like they kind of deserve to be…
Parkway
Thanks to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, we drive on a "parkway." We also park on a "driveway," but that's another story. Merriam-Webster's dictionary has 1887 for…
Parm (parmigiana)
"Parm" is a shortened form of "parmigiana." "Eggplant Parm." has been cited in print since at least 1968. 'Eggplant parm" (without the period) has been cited…
Parsons Table
The "Parsons table" is often thought to have some religious connotation, but it's actually a product of the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Wikipedia: Parsons tableThe…
Parthenon of Cast Iron (Haughwout Building)
The Haughwout Building, at 488-492 Broadway near Broome Street in Manhattan, was built in 1857 and is a landmark of cast-iron architecture. It was one of the first buildings to have an elevator.…
Parthenon of Wall Street (Federal Hall National Memorial)
A statue of George Washington stands outside a Greek Parthenon-like building on Wall Street. It's the Federal Hall National Memorial, sometimes called the "Parthenon of Wall Street."…
Partner; Pardner; Podner; Pard
"Partner" (as in "Howdy, Pardner!") is often written as spoken, as "pardner" or "podner" or "pard." These spellings are found in print from at…
Party of Paychecks (Republican party slogan)
Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said in September 2010 and again in October 2010 that the Democrat party was the "party of food stamps" and the Republican party was the…
Party of the Year (Met Gala nickname)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute has held an annual fundraiser since 1948, called the Costume Institute Gala, but usually known as the "Met Gala" or "Met…
Party Pooper
A "party pooper" is someone who leaves a party early, or who declines to participate in or to enjoy the party. In politics, a "party pooper" is someone who doesn't agree…
Pasadenan (inhabitant of Pasadena)
"Pasadenan” is the name of an inhabitant of Pasadena, Texas. The name “Pasadenan" has been cited in print since at least 1951. The yearbook of Pasadena Senior High School has been…
Pass Over Opportunity Repeatedly (“poor” backronym)
"Psss/Passing Over Opportunity/Opportunities Repeatedly" is sometimes given as a backronym (back acronym) for the word "poor." "Moms, Are you POOR? Passing Over Opportunity…
Past Tense Media
"Past tense media" is an unflattering nickname for the mainstream media (MSM) (such as newspapers and magazines) that are often late to news stories, reporting on them days or weeks after…
Pasta e Fagioli (“Pasta Fazool”)
The next time you're at La Guardia airport, mention that someone, somewhere there, should serve this dish. 21 August 1937, Lima (Ohio) News, pg. 7, col. 3:Goin' to town with MARK…
Pasta Primavera (Spaghetti Primavera)
"Pasta primavera" (or "spaghetti primavera") was invented at Le Cirque -- then located at 58 East 65th Street in Manhattan -- and is cited in print from 1976. The Le Cirque dish…