Jalapiña (drink)
"Jala-Piña Cocktail" is cited from at least 2006 and usually contains a pineapple, silver tequila, fresh lime juice, sugar, a small jalapeño, ice and pineapple wedges. Juicebox in…
Holidays/Events/Parades
Jamaican (inhabitant of Jamaica, Queens)
"Jamaican” is the name of an inhabitant of Jamaica, in the borough of Queens. The name “South Jamaican” (for South Jamaica, Queens) has been cited in print since at least 1980.…
Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a Louisiana dish that is sometimes brought into Texas by the citizens of that state. Jambalaya features meat, vegetables, and lots of rice. The origin (and the spelling) of the word…
James Cagney Love Scene
James ("Jimmy") Cagney (1899-1986) was a New York City-born actor who played tough guys on film. Cagney was honored with the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute in March…
JAMS (Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival)
JAMS (the Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival - shouldn't that be JAMSF?) began in 1996-97. It takes place on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. http://www.clearviewfestival.com/Saturday, August…
Jamwich (jam + sandwich)
"Jamwich" is a word formed from the two words "jam" and "sandwich." In 2006, Pierre Foods trademarked the name "PB Jamwich" for its peanut butter and jelly…
Jana Hunsaker Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament
Jana Hunsaker was a tennis instructor at the USTA National Tennis Center in Queens. The memorial wheelchair tennis tournament is a new annual event.…
JANFU (Joint Army Navy Foul-Up)
"JANFU" is a World War II term that means "Joint Army-Navy Foul Up." The actual term was probably "Joint Army-Navy Fuck Up." "Now some one has come up with JANFU,…
Japanese Horseradish (wasabi)
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…
Japs (short for “jalapeños”)
The jalapeño is an official state pepper of Texas. The abbreviated name for the jalapeño is not "jal" or "hal" (as it would be pronounced) or even "hap," but…
Jargarita (jar + margarita)
A "Jargarita" or "jargarita" (jar + margarita) is a margarita drink served in a jar, such as a Mason jar. The advantage this has is that the drink can be made to a larger size…
Jaspers (Manhattan College teams)
The Manhattan College teams (that play in the Bronx, of course) are called the Jaspers. It's one of New York's oldest sports team nicknames -arguably the oldest continuing one. Brother…
Jassack (jackass)
"Jassack" (or "jass-ack") is a metathesis of the word "jackass." The word "jassack" was printed in the Marshall County Republican (Holly Springs, MS) on…
Jassack Band (Jackass Band; Jazzack)
"Jassack" (or "jass-ack") is a metathesis of the word "jackass." The word "jassack" has been cited in print since at least 1839. "Jassack" possibly…
JAVax (Javits Center used as a vaccination site; Javits + vax)
New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center was used in 2021 as a vaccination center against Covid. Some people called it "JAVax" or "Javax" (Javits Center + vax).…
Javelina or Jabalina or Javalina or Mexican hog (collared peccary)
The collared peccary wasa familiar sight to Texans of the 19th century. The animal is popularly called "javelina" or ""jabalina" or "javalina" or "Mexican…
Jawbreaker (sandwich)
A "jawbreaker" is a large Italian sandwich that's so big and so stuffed that it could break one's jaw to eat all of it. "Sunday night supper is an especially popular time…
Jaywalker (Jay Walker); Jaywalking (Jay Walking)
"Jay walking" (or "jaywalking") was first named and popularized in Kansas City, not New York. "Jay," according to the Historical Dictionary of American Slang, is…
Jazz Brunch
A "jazz brunch" is a brunch (a breakfast/lunch meal usually served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) that includes jazz music. Commander's Palace made the jazz brunch a tradition in New…
JCPenneystock (JCPenney nickname)
JCPenney, a department store, was founded by James Cash Penney in 1902 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The company experienced financial difficulties in 2013 and was nicknamed "JCPenneystock"…