1940s-1950s: Assorted Big Apple citations

Venture Socialism

Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) talked about President Obama's jobs bill on Fox News’s On the Record with Greta Van Susteren on September 14, 2011: “I would love to be able to work with the…

Very Vanilla (very + vanilla)

"Vanilla" is a flavor; "vanilla" is also a slang term for something that is plain and drab. "Very Vanilla" (usually capitalized) is a flavor that seemingly promises…

Vetch Capital of the World (Cooper nickname)

Cooper (near Paris, Texas) is known as the "Vetch Capital of the World." Vetch is a bean that perhaps parakeets like. Cooper's slogan is not popular. Handbook of Texas OnlineCOOPER,…

Vichyssoise

"Vichyssoise" was allegedly invented by Louis Diat, chef of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in 1917. The problem is, I can't find a single citation before the 1930s. "Vichyssoise"…

Victorian (inhabitant of Victoria, Texas)

"Victorian” is the name of an inhabitant of Victoria, Texas. The name “Victorian" has been cited in print since at least 1875. Wikipedia: Victoria, TexasVictoria is a city in and the…

Victory Lap

A "victory lap" is an extra lap around the track taken by the winner of a race, performed in front of the fans. "The officials finally declared Flemke the winner and he took the…

Vietnamese Fajitas (Bo Nuong Xa)

Vietnamese fajitas (Bo Nuong Xa) are strips of beef with lemongrass, rolled in rice-paper wrappers (rather than tortillas). Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, sprouts, mint, basil, carrots, jalapeños…

Vincent’s Sauce

The Original Vincent's restaurant is in Little Italy at 199 Mott Street. Vincent's proudly declares that it's been around for a century, since 1904. I don't particularly care…

Violets (cabbage)

"Red Mike and violets" was hash house slang for a dish of "corned beef and cabbage." Corned beef is red, cabbage is violet and "Mike" is a traditional Irish name.…