Wegmaniac (Wegmans + maniac)
Wegmans Food Markets have lots of fans, called "Wegmaniacs" (Wegmans + maniac). The term is most frequently used at the opening of new Wegmans stores, although the company has stated that…
Education/Schools
Welcome to New York & New York Hello
"Welcome to New York" (or "New York Hello") can be a sincere greeting or a warning of the horrors to come. The sarcastic version probably comes from the army or the National…
Welfare Queen
A "welfare queen" is a woman who is on public assistance, often fraudulently. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani cut the welfare rolls in the 1990s, dramatically decreasing the "welfare…
Welfare Wednesday (Food Stamp Friday)
"Welfare Wednesday" describes the Wednesday of a month when welfare checks are sent out. The term is mostly used in Canada (especially in the city of Vancouver), but has also been used in…
Welfare-Warfare State (Warfare-Welfare State)
Entry in progress -- B.P. OCLC WorldCat recordThe new left; a collection of essays.Author: Priscilla LongPublisher: Boston, P. Sargent [1969]Series: Extending horizons booksEdition/Format: Book :…
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…
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…