Tamalada (tamale-making party)
The tamal (tamale) can take a long time to properly prepare. Tamales are often served on Christmas (and other festive occasions); before the occasion, a tamalada (tamale-making party) is usually…
1940s-1950s: Assorted Big Apple citations
Tamale Boat
A "tamale boat" is a tamale with chili, onions, and (sometimes) cheese. If served in a hot dog bun, it's called a "mother-in-law sandwich." Although tamales are popular in…
Tamale Sandwich (hot tamale on a bun; hot tamale bun)
A "tamale sandwich" is a hot tamale between two slices of bread (similar to, for example, a hamburger or a hot dog). The hot tamale sandwich is sometimes called a "mother-in-law…
Tamale Town; Tamaleville (San Antonio nicknames)
"Tamale Town" and "Tamaleville" are old nicknames for San Antonio that date from the 1880s and 1890s. San Antontio was famous for the tamale. The nicknames are historical and…
Tamalero (tamale vendor)
A tamalero is a tamale vendor. The vendors were popular in Texas in the late 19th century. 24 November 1886, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 1:The tamalero, on receiving what may prove to be his…
Tammany Hall
(Oxford English Dictionary)Tammany a. The name of the central organization of the Democratic party in the City (formerly also in the State) of New York, located in Tammany Hall, in 14th Street, New…
Tammany Tiger
Thomas Nast is also given credit for the Tammany tiger, and again, this is incorrect. Certainly, his November 11, 1871 Harper's Weekly political cartoon is perhaps the most famous in American…
Tampa: The Big Guava
After the 1970s popularity of "the Big Apple," everybody started getting into the act. "Big Guava" (for Tampa, Florida) is from the 1970s, but it remains popular. Tampa…
Tampiqueña Plate (Carne Asada Tampiqueña; Steak Tampiqueña )
A Tampiqueña plate usually has carne asada (thinly sliced steak), plus enchiladas, beans, and white panela cheese. It is the only major combination plate in Mexico, and it's served in Tex-Mex…
TANJ (There Ain’t No Justice)
"There ain't no justice" is a phrase that dates to at least the 1850s. "There Ain't No Justice" was the title of several "Moon Mullins" newspaper comic…
Tank Town (small town)
Performing professionals in a big city like New York often also gave performances at "tank towns." A "tank town" (or "water tank town") was a town that had, as its…
Tanked Tuesday
"Tanked Tuesday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Alcoholic drinks are sold on this day, often at a reduced price. “Tanked Tuesday” has been cited in print since at…
Tanks for the Memories (Killeen slogan)
The city of Killeen is located next to Fort Hood, first built in 1942 to feature a new Tank Destroyer Tactical and Firing Center. In the late 1980s, Killeen officially adopted the slogan,…
Tannersville: Painted Village in the Sky (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Tannersville, New YorkTannersville is a village in Greene County, New York, USA. The village is in the east-central part of the town of Hunter on Route 23A. The…
TANSTAAFMWH (There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Minimum Wage Hike)
"TANSTAAFL" stands for "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch." "TANSTAAFMWH" means "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Minimum Wage Hike.…
Taper Tantrum (taper + temper tantrum)
The Federal Reserve Bank (the "Fed") had a large quantitative easing (QE) program in 2013; there were rumors in mid-2013 that the Fed would "taper" and end the program. The blog…
Taquito
"Taquitos" are rolled tacos. A taquito is a tortilla (corn or flour) with a filling (usually chicken or beef) that is deep-fried. Taquitos often have cheese, lettuce, guacamole, sour…
Tar Beach
"Tar Beach" is the rooftop (often composed of tar) where one can sit and get a tan, as if on the beach. The term "tar beach" has been cited in print since at least 1941. New…
Tar Beach (rooftop)
"Tar Beach" is the rooftop (often composed of tar) where one can sit and get a tan, as if on the beach. The term "tar beach" has been cited in print since at least 1941. New…
Tartan Day Parade
Scotland has been late to the New York City list of ethnic parades. The first "Tartan Day Parade" was held only recently, in 1999. Certainly, it's no match for the traditional St.…