Welfargee (welfare + refugee)
"Welfargee" (welfare + refugee) describes someone who comes from a third world country to a more developed country and lives off its welfare. "Welfargee" was cited in print in…
1930s: Jazzing the Big Apple
Welfarian (someone on welfare)
A "Welfarian" (or "welfarian") is a welfare recipient. "Welfarian" has been cited in print since at least 1978. The term "Welfarian" a high-sounding name…
Well Drink
A "well drink" means any house liquor that is conveniently located in a bartender's well. A call drink is where a customer requests a brand name for his or her drink. Well drinks are…
Wells Fargone (Wells Fargo nickname)
Wells Fargo bank was founded in New York City in 1852. Wells Fargo -- one of the Big Four banks in the United States with Bank of America, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase -- is now headquartered in…
Wells Fiasco (Wells Fargo nickname)
Wells Fargo bank was founded in New York City in 1852. Wells Fargo -- one of the Big Four banks in the United States with Bank of America, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase -- is now headquartered in…
Weslacoan (inhabitant of Weslaco)
"Weslacoan” is the name of an inhabitant of Weslaco, Texas. The name “Weslacoan" has been cited in print since at least 1933. Wikipedia: Weslaco, TexasWeslaco is a city in Hidalgo…
West Broadway (pork and beans nickname)
"West Broadway" is a 19th century restaurant slang term for "pork and beans." The New York City slang was cited in print in 1874, but was seldom used by 1900. "Stars and…
West Indian Day Carnival; “Murder Day Parade”
The West Indian Day Carnival is held over the Labor Day weekend in September. It began in Harlem in the late 1940s, moved to Brooklyn in the 1950s, and now draws hundreds of thousands of people.…
West Sider or Westsider
A "West Sider" (or "Westsider," also lowercase "west sider" and "westsider") is someone who inhabits the west side of a geographical area.…
West Texas Rain (a sandstorm)
A sandstorm (or dust storm) has been called "West Texas rain." The humorous bit of slang is not based on fact; it rains in West Texas much more often than you'll see a sandstorm.…
West Texas Sunset (cocktail)
The "West Texas Sunset" cocktail is not nearly as popular as the similar "Tequila Sunrise." Pomegranate juice is used rather than grenadine. Best of Minneapolis 2002 Bar…
West Virginia: Switzerland of America (nickname)
Many areas with mountains in the United States have been dubbed a "Switzerland of America." "The Green mountains of Vermont, the Switzerland of America" was cited in 1835. New…
Westchester: Golden Apple (nickname)
Westchester County also got into the "Big Apple" act in the late 1970s, copying New York City with a "Golden Apple" campaign of its own. The nickname is still used, but does not…
Westchester: Wedge Sandwich
A regional sandwich name in Westchester (Yonkers) for the hero/sub/hoagie is "wedge." Again, I checked the telephone directories. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long…
Western Sandwich (Denver Sandwich; Denver Omelet)
A "Western sandwich" (also called a "Denver sandwich" or "Denver omelet") usually consists of an omelet with ham, onions, and green pepper, served between two slices…
Western Wasabi (horseradish)
Horseradish is often compared to wasabi. Wasabi was called "Japanese horseradish" in 1903 by American botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild (1869-1954). "An Expert Describes…
Westerned
"Get Westerned" is explained in a 2009 Dallas (TX) Morning News business article by Cheryl Hall (see below) as a Texas term for when a business deal goes sideways or upside down.…
Westoria (west + Astoria)
"Westoria" (west + Astoria) is a name coined in 2017 for west Astoria, Queens -- also called "Old Astoria" or "Old Astoria Village" -- in the area west of 21st Street,…
Westside Manhattan (cocktail)
The Westside Manhattan is a new name for the classic Manhattan cocktail. Included are whiskey and vermouth -- Irish whiskey, as this drink is popular on St. Patrick's Day. Angostura bitters…
Wet Burrito (Burrito Enchilada Style)
A "wet burrito" is the same as a "burrito enchilada style." A burrito is prepared, and then it is smothered with red (or green) chili sauce and often melted cheese. The origin…