Sweatshop (Sweat Shop, or Sweating Shop)
A "sweatshop" or "sweat shop" or "sweating shop" is a place where people work for very little pay ("sweat" wages). In New York and Chicago and Boston, the…
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus
Swedish Automobile Always Broken (Saab backronymic nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Saab AutomobileSaab Automobile AB /ˈsɑːb/ is a Swedish premium car manufacturer. It was formed in 1945 when Saab AB, "Svenska Aeroplan AB…
Swedish Broadway (Atlantic Avenue)
Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn) used to be called "Swedish Broadway" in the 1890s and soon thereafter, but it has entirely lost its Swedish influence. Middle Eastern stores can be seen there…
Sweet Alice (milk)
"Sweet Alice" was soda jerk slang for a glass of milk. "A glass of milk is just 'Sweet Alice' to him (a soda jerker -- ed.)" was printed in the Miami (FL) Daily News…
Sweet Lady Gumbo (New Orleans nickname)
The American animated sitcom
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries (or "sweet potato french fries") became popular in American restaurants from the 1980s. The fries are prepared like french fries, and both are sometimes combined as…
Sweet Sixteen (sixteen remaining tournament players or teams)
"Sweet sixteen" is what the final 16 teams or players in a tournament are sometimes called. The term "sweet sixteen" has been used in the Illinois high school boys'…
Sweet Water Chemist (soda jerk)
"Sweet water chemist" (or "sweet-water chemist") is a fancy name for a "soda jerk(er)." The name became popular when many soda fountains were located in drugstores.…
Sweetest Town in Texas (Honey Grove nickname)
Honey Grove was named after its apiary, and the city's web page shows two bees. The nickname of Honey Grove is "Sweetest Town in Texas," although that could, perhaps, also apply to…
Swexit (Switzerland + exit)
"Brexit” (Great Britain/British + exit) is a word created to define a possible British exit from the eurozone. "Brexit" has been cited in print since at least May 2012. A similar…
Swiftly Enhanced Careers (Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC nickname)
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought a case against American businessman Mark Cuban for insider trading; Cuban was found not guilty on October 16, 2013. In an interview with…
Swing State
A "swing state" is one of the fifty states of the United States that could support (or "swing" to) either one of the two political parties, Republican or Democrat. Political…
Swing Street (52nd Street)
"Swing Street" is the name for 52nd Street. At one time, many swing clubs were located here. The name dates from the swing era of the 1930s. 21 November 1937, New York Times, pg.…
Swish Set
"Swish" (for "homosexual") is/was an LGBTQ nickname, and the term "swish set" was used for the community. "New York's Swish Set" was printed in the…
Swiss Enchiladas
Swiss enchiladas are enchiladas with cream and cheese (usually American or Jack cheese and not Swiss cheese). They're called "Swiss" because Mexicans associated milk, cream, and…
Swiss Steak
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Swiss steakSwiss steak is meat, usually beef, prepared by means of rolling or pounding, and then braising in a cooking pot of stewed tomatoes, mushroom sauce,…
Switch Building (109 Norfolk Street)
The building at 109 Norfolk Street quickly has been called the "Switch Building." It literally looks like a bunch of light swtiches on top of one another. http://109norfolk.com/…
SXSW
The SXSW ("South by Southwest") is really three festivals in one -- interactive, film and music. The Austin-based festival began in 1987. SXSW HistoryHistory of SXSWSouth by Southwest…
SXSW (Somebody buy Some Whataburger)
The annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival takes place in Austin, Texas (usually in March). On March 7, 2014, the Texas-based Whataburger humburger chain posted on Twitter: "#SXSW stands…
Synagondo (synagogue + condo)
Several New York City synagogues no longer have congregations to stay operating; the buildings are sometimes turned into condos. New condominium apartments are sometimes built around a…