1930s: Jazzing the Big Apple

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,…

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…

Syracuse: Sewercuse (nickname)

The city of Syracuse, New York -- also Syracuse University -- is sometimes given the unflattering nickname of "Sewercuse" (sewer + Syracuse). "In winter, it's Siberacuse, spring…

T.J. Smaxx (T.J. Maxx nickname)

T.J. Maxx is a retailer with over 900 stores, founded in 1976 in Framingham, Massachusetts. The T.J. Maxx nickname "T.J. Smaxx" has been cited in print since at least 1993, but has been…