Chow Mein Stem (Broadway; Mott Street)
Broadway has been called "the Main Stem" since at least the early 1900s. The Broadway nickname of "Chow Mein Stem" (chow mein + main stem) reflects a time when chow mein…
Education/Schools
Chow Mein Street (Broadway)
Chinese restaurants serving chow mein used to crowd Broadway around Times Square. "Chow-Mein Street" (a street where Chinese people live) was cited in the New York City humor magazine…
Chowhound (Chow Hound)
The word "chowhound" is probably best known today from the Chowhound food website. The term began as the two words "chow hound," with "chow" meaning "food"…
Chowmeinerie or Chowmeinery (a Chinese restaurant)
Chinese restaurants serving chow mein used to crowd Broadway around Times Square. "Chowmeinerie" was cited in G. D. Seymour's New York City newspaper column in January 1929.…
Christians In Action (Central Intelligence Agency or CIA nickname)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the successor to World War II's Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The CIA nickname of "Christians In Action" was probably coined or at…
Christmas Adam (December 23, the day before Christmas Eve)
Christmas is December 25th. Christmas Eve is December 24th. Some people think that December 23rd should be called "Christmas Adam" because Adam came before Eve. "Christmas Adam"…
Christmas Capital of Texas (Grapevine nickname)
The city of Grapevine (a suburb of Fort Worth) holds many Christmas events. The nickname "Christmas Capital of Texas" was trademarked by the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau…
Christmas Tree Bill
A Christmas tree is often decorated with many ornaments; the base of the tree is often surrounded with Christmas gifts. A "Christmas tree bill" is a legislative bill that attracts many…
Christocrat (Christian + -ocrat)
The term "Christocrat" (Christian + -ocrat) has been used in Texas since at least 1994 and was popularized by the September 2006 profile of David Barton in Texas Monthly titled "King…
Chubbing
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksHatchet Jobs and Hardball: The Oxford dictionary of American political slangBy Grant BarrettPublished by Oxford University Press US2004Pg. 80:chubbing n.…
Chuck Box
The chuck wagon was declared by the Texas legislature to the the official state vehicle of Texas. Attached to the back of the chuck wagon was usually the "chuck box," a cook's pantry…
Chuck E. Disease’s (Chuck E. Cheese’s nickname)
Chuck E. Cheese's is a pizza chain of family entertainment centers. The Chuck E. Cheese's nickname of "Chuck E. Disease's" has been cited in print since at least 2005.…
Chuck Eater
A "chuck eater" is another cowboy term for a "greenhorn" or "pilgrim" or "tenderfoot." To the old hands, a "chuck eater" can't do the work and…
Chuck Line (Chuckline)
In the old west, a "chuck line" (or "chuckline") formed at the chuck wagon (the official Texas state vehicle) so cowboys could get their fill of grub. Some people were said to…
Chuck Wagon
The "chuck wagon" has been recognized as an official state vehicle of Texas. It is often claimed that the "chuck wagon" was invented by Charles Goodnight during his cattle drive…
CHUD (Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers)
C.H.U.D. was a 1984 movie about the "cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers" of New York City. The term "chud" is still sometimes used. http://www.pseudodictionary.comchud…
Chuggable
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: chuggableAdjectivechuggable (not comparable)1. Able to be chugged; suitable for chugging.It's a light beer, so is perfectly chuggable, unlikely the fizzy…
Chump Change
"Chump change" is a small and/or insignificant mount of money -- the money a "chump" makes, not a "champ." "Chump change" was printed in the Philadelphia…
Chupacabra or Chupacabras (goat-sucker)
The "chupacabra" (goat-sucker) was first spotted in Puerto Rico, in the 1970s. Sightings have also been made in Florida and Mexico; from the 1990s, chupacabra sightings have occurred in…
Church of Rock and Roll (Fillmore East)
The Fillmore East was a rock and roll venue that was located on Second Avenue and East Sixth Street in Manhattan's East Village. From 1968-1971, the Fillmore East hosted memorable acts,…