Softball Question
A "softball question" is a question that is easy to answer. Political candidates usually like softball questions because answering them makes the candidates appear strong and in control.…
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SoHa (South of Harlem)
"SoHa" is "SOuth of HArlem." Morningside Heights is the traditional name. Yes, it's another derivative from "SoHo." Attention Brooklyn real estate developers!…
SoHell (South of Hell’s Kitchen)
SoHell (south of Hell's Kitchen is a neighborhood name that was coined by New York magazine in August 2006. (The Gothamist citation below is from August 8th, but New York magazine dates its…
SoHo (South of Houston Street)
"SoHo" means SOuth of HOuston Street. The Oxford English Dictionary has no mention of New York's Soho, but has this for London: The name of a district in the West End of London,…
SOHO candy bar (from Turkey)
There is a "SOHO" candy bar that is popular in Turkey. The wrapper shows tall buildings, like New York City. The chocolate candy bar is not sold in the United States. Does anyone have a…
SoLa (South Lamar Boulevard, Austin)
"SoLa" is a name for South Lamar Boulevard in Austin. Austin's neighborhood name game began with SoCo for South Congress Avenue. To see where all this may lead, see the New York City…
Solarcoaster (solar stocks + roller coaster)
Solar stocks have been known for their volatility. The term "solarcoaster" (solar stocks + roller coaster) has been used to describe the solar stocks' up-and-down ride. A blog called…
SOLE Food (Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical)
SOLE (Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical) food -- a pun on "soul food" -- was coined by The Ethicurean blog in May 2006. "Ethicurean" is also an invented word; SOLEfood.com…
Solita (South of Little Italy)
"Solita" (or "SoLita") means "South of Little Italy." It's a spinoff from NoLita (North of little Italy). The name started with the "SoLita Building" at…
Solo Arts Festival
The Solo Arts Festival (by terraNOVA Collective) is a new annual event of readings, music and more. http://www.terranovacollective.org/SoloArtsFestival.phpJune 8-25Center Stage, NY48 West 21st…
SoMa (South of Macy’s)
SoMa (South of Macy's) is a nickname for the area south of Herald Square in Manhattan. The "SoMa" nickname is taken from the well-established SoMa (South of Market) in San Francisco.…
Sombrero (cocktail)
A "Sombrero" cocktail is Kahlua (the Mexican coffee liqueur) and cream or milk. The drink is first cited in the 1970s. It is unknown why the name "Sombrero" (a Mexican hat) was…
Sometimes Islands (Lake Travis)
The "Sometimes Islands" are in the middle of Lake Travis (near Austin). When the water level of the lake goes down, the Sometimes Islands appear. When the water level goes up, the…
Son Of a Bitch, Everything’s Real (“sober” backronym)
"S.O.B.E.R. = Son Of A Bitch, Everything's Real" was published in the book Stepping Stones to Recovery for Young People: Experience the Miracle of 12 Step Recovery (1991), edited by…
Son-of-a-Bitch Stew (Son-of-a-Gun Stew)
"Son-of-a-bitch stew" (or the more politely titled "son-of-a-gun stew") is a cowboy stew with a little bit of everything in it. In the closing years of the range (by the early…
Sonny Mae or Sony Mae (State of New York Mortgage Agency or SONYMA)
The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) was created in 1970. The nickname "Sonny Mae" has been cited in print since at least August 1981 and "Sony Mae" since at least…
Sonoran Hot Dog (bacon-wrapped hot dog)
"Bacon-wrapped hot dogs" have been featured in newspaper recipes since at least the 1960s. Usually these were bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled sausages. The "Sonoran hot dog" (also…
Sons of Anarchy (Jets defensive line nickname)
The New York Jets football team nicknamed their defensive line the New York Sack Exchange in 1981. The 2013 defensive line of Damon Harrison (nose tackle), Sheldon Richardson (defensive end) and…
Sons of the Wild Jackass
George Higgins Moses (1869-1944), a senator from New Hampshire, spoke at a Washington dinner of New England manufacturers in November 1929 and described some insurgent Republican senators as…
Sopaipilla (Sopapilla)
The sopaipilla (or "sopapilla") was declared in 2003 (with the law expiring in 2005) the official state pastry of Texas, along with the strudel. Yes, there are two official state…