La Marqueta
"La Maqueta" is the name for the market on Park Avenue, from 111th to 116th Streets. Mayor LaGuardia removed the pushcarts and created the market in 1936. In the 1950s, the area became…
Education/Schools
La Mela Reintegrata or The Apple Made Whole Again (Milan, Italy, 2015-present)
The "Big Apple" of Milan, Italy, is a sculpture called “La Mela Rintergrata” (“The Apple Made Whole Again”) by Michelangelo Pistoletto that is outside of Central Station (Milano…
La Paloma (cocktail)
The Paloma (or "La Paloma," Spanish for "the dove") cocktail is similar to the Margarita, with both cocktails containing tequila. While the Margarita contains Triple Sec, the…
La Playita (Little Beach)
"La Playita" (the Little Beach) is a strip of land along Viele Avenue in the Bronx, at Hunts Point. In 2005, Mayor Bloomberg announced improvements planned for the area, such as athletic…
Labor Day
New York City has long received credit for "Labor Day." Perhaps that's wrong and New York wasn't the first, but New York's Labor Day Parade and tradition is probably the…
Labor-Electoral Complex
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave a speech before the Economic Club of New York on December 18, 2013, in one of his final acts of his twelve years in office. Bloomberg spoke about the…
Laboring Under Correct Knowledge (“luck” backronym)
The word "luck" is not an acronym, but it has been given the backronym of "labo(u)r(ing) under correct knowledge." The saying "laboring under correct knowledge" has…
Lack Toast And Taller Ant or Lack Toast In Toddler Ant (lactose intolerant)
"Lactose intolerant" is sometimes jocularly called "lack toast and tolerant." "Big Mistake of the Day: ...lack toast and tolerant ..." was cited in print in 1997.…
Lactard (lactose + retard)
A “lactard” (lactose + retard) is someone who has a sensitivity to foods that contain lactose (such as milk), often requiring a lactose-free diet. "Lactard" is a slang term for…
Ladies Who Lunch
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Ladies who lunchLadies who lunch is a phrase often used to describe well-off, well-dressed women who meet for social luncheons, usually during the working week.…
Ladies’ Day
"Ladies' Day" was the day after New Year's (January 2nd). It was somewhat popular in the 19th century. It appear to have been the only day when women were invited to men's…
Ladies’ Mile
The "ladies' mile" is that stretch of Manhattan shopping on Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), roughly from 14th to 23rd Streets. The exact date that the "Ladies'…
Ladies’ Night
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Ladies' nightA ladies' night (sometimes ladies night) is a promotional event, often at a bar or nightclub, where female patrons get a reduced price…
Lady Baltimore Cake (Lord Baltimore Cake)
The Lady Baltimore cake was popularized by the Owen Wister (1860-1938) novel Lady Baltimore (1906). Wister's novel took place in fictional Kingsport, a substitute name for Charleston, South…
LaGarbage (LaGuardia Airport nickname)
New York City's LaGuardia Airport was built on landfill. Pilots have called the airport "LaGarbage" for this and for other reasons. "Serious airport problems are by no means…
Lager Beer
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: LagerLager (German: storage) is a type of beer made from malted barley that is brewed and stored at low temperatures. There are many types of lager; pale lager…
Lake George: Queen of American Lakes (nickname)
Lake George, located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains, has been called the "Queen of the American Lakes." The origin of the nickname is unknown, but it was used in the…
Lake Jacksonite (inhabitant of Lake Jackson)
"Lake Jacksonite” is the name of an inhabitant of Lake Jackson, Texas. The name “Lake Jacksonite" has been cited in print since at least 1944. Wikipedia: Lake Jackson, TexasLake…
Lake Tung Ting Shrimp (Chinese dish)
The Chinese dish of Lake Tung Ting shrimp is named after Dongting Lake in northeastern Hunan province. The dish was served at Manhattan's Hunam restaurant (845 Second Avenue, near 45th Street)…
Laksa (spicy rice noodle soup)
"Laksa" is a spicy rice noodle soup that is popular in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Southern Thailand. "Asam laksa, from the Malay island of Penang, is sour and contains…