Rochester: Rottenchester (nickname)
The city of Rochester, in western New York (not Rochester, Minnesota), is sometimes given the unflattering nicknamed of "Rottenchester" (rotten + Rochester). 'Rottenchester" was…
Holidays/Events/Parades
Rochester: White Hots; Pop Opens
Rochester hot dogs are often called "white hots" or "pop opens." 7 August 1933, Zanesville (Ohio) Signal, pg. 5 ad:WHITE-HOTSThis sausage was originated exclusively for Kroger…
Rock Star Economy
A country is said to have a "rock star economy" (or "rockstar economy") when the economy is famously successful, like a rock star. The term "rock star economy" was…
Rock Steady Park or The Goat Courts (Happy Warrior Playground)
Manhattan's "Happy Warrior Playground," at Amsterdam Avenue between 98th and 99th streets, is officially named after New York Governor Al Smith (1873-1944), who was nicknamed…
Rockapulco (Rockaway Beach)
"Rockapulco" (Rockaway + Acapulco) has been a nickname for Rockaway Beach since at least the 1980s. Acapulco is a famous Mexican resort area; in 1964, a The Flinstones cartoon episode had…
Rockefailure (Rockefeller family + failure)
The Rockefeller family is an American industrial, political, and banking family. Some have nicknamed the Rockefeller family as "Rockefailure" (Rockefeller + failure). "PROFILE/John…
Rockefeller Center’s Atlas (modeled after Benito Mussolini?)
The Greek mythological figure of Atlas holding up the heavens is a 1937 sculpture by Lee Lawrie (1877-1963) that stands in front of the International Building of Rockefeller Center, across the…
Rockefeller Republican
The political term "Rockefeller Republican" takes its name from Nelson Rockefeller (1908-1979), the Republican governor of New York from 1959 to 1973, who then became vice president of…
Rockefinger or Rockefeller Salute (Nelson Rockefeller’s middle finger gesture)
"Rockefinger," "Rockefeller salute" and "Rockefeller gesture" are names for the middle finger protruding from a clenched fist -- also called "the finger,"…
Rocket Sandwich
Entry in progress -- B.P. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long rolls includes blimpie, bomber, Cuban (medianoche), Dagwood, garibaldi, gondola, grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian,…
Rocketeer (postal worker with pneumatic tube)
Mail was delivered throughout New York City by a series of pneumatic tubes, from the years 1897 until 1953. The postal workers sending and receiving such mail were dubbed "rocketeers,"…
Rockettes
The Rockettes are New York City's high-kicking dance company. The "Missouri Rockets" began in St, Louis in 1925, and were created by Russell Markert (1899-1990). In 1928, the company…
Rockettes (dance company)
The Rockettes are New York City's high-kicking dance company. The "Missouri Rockets" began in St, Louis in 1925, and were created by Russell Markert (1899-1990). In 1928, the company…
Rocks for Jocks (Geology 101, or an easy college science course)
"Rocks for Jocks" is an introductory geology course, one taken by "jocks" (student athletes) that is supposedly easy to get a good grade and keep the students eligible to play…
Rocky Road (ice cream)
"Rocky Road" is a candy or an ice cream flavor of chocolate, marshmallows and nuts. Rocky Road was popularized in California, Oregon and Washington in the 1920s. "Rocky Road A…
Rodeo
"Rodeo" is Spanish for "round up." Pecos claims that it held the first "rodeo" (a spectator event as we know it today) on July 4, 1883. The claim is debated by other…
Rodeo Capital of Texas (Mesquite nickname)
Mesquite (near Dallas) has been home to Mesquite Championship Rodeo since 1958. In 1993, the Texas Legislature named Mesquite the "Rodeo Capital of Texas." Mesquite Championship Rodeo…
Roll with a Hole (bagel)
A bagel has been called a "roll with a hole" (or "roll with the hole") since at least 1944. The rhyming "roll-with-a-hole" made a newspaper headline by at least 1972.…
Roller Coaster
Coney Island has long been famous for its Cyclone roller coaster, first opened in 1927. America's first popular "roller coaster" amusement ride has long been thought to have been the…
Romainetic (romaine lettuce + romantic)
"Romainetic" (romaine lettuce + romantic) is a portmanteau word that is somewhat popular on Valentine's Day (February 14). "The gigolo, now in his salad days, was still…