2 Dow Shay (two show day)
"Two dow shay" is a spoonerism for "two show day." Two shows a day is a business day in the theater, and the joke is that it's so exhausting that even the term can't…
Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores
2-3 (Austin’s 78723 zip code)
The "2-3" is hip-hop for the last two digits of Austin's zip code -- 78723. HoustonSoRealAustinSoReal - Check this article on rap from the 2-3In Austin, zip codes are quite…
20-20-20 Rule (for eyes)
The "20-20-20 rule" for relieving eye strain (often caused by extended computer use) is that after 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at objects at least 20 feet away. The…
2005: Statement from a co-worker of Charles Gillett
This was sent to me, and I got the OK to post it here. From: Gilbert Tauber To: bapopik@aol.comSent: Thu, 16 Jun 2005 01:55:48 +0200Subject: Message from Big Apple web site visitor Dear Mr.…
3-6-3 Rule
The "3-6-3" rule or formula in banking meant that a bank gives 3% interest on accounts, charges 6% interest on loans, and the banker is to be found on the golf course by 3 p.m. The…
3-and-B (basketball player providing 3-point shooting and blocks)
A "3-and-D" basketball player provides three point shooting accuracy and defense. The term ""3-and-B" refers to a basketball player who provides three point shooting…
3-and-D (basketball player providing 3-point shooting and defense)
A "3-and-D" (or "three-and-D") basketball player is someone (usually a wing player, such as a small forward or a shooting guard) who can hit three-point shots and who can play…
3:05 Cafecito (from 305, the Miami area code)
"305" is the telephone area code of Miami (South Florida), and on March 5th (3/05), "305 Day" is celebrated -- especially at 3:05 p.m. "305 Miami's Areacode" was…
305 Day (from 305, the Miami area code)
"305" is the telephone area code of Miami (South Florida), and on March 5th (3/05), "305 Day" is celebrated -- especially at 3:05 p.m. "305 Miami's Areacode" was…
311 (non-emergency call)
311 was introduced in 2003 to handle non-emergency calls and take the burden off 911. It helps callers to make New York City understandable. Too much noise in the neighborhood? Call 311. Fire? Call…
330 Ramp Capital
The blog Zero Hedge, on April 8, 2013, published "Invest In '3:30 PM Ramp Capital LP' For 26.6% Annualized Outperformance." The New York Stock Exchange closes at 4 p.m.; at 3:30…
40 Acres (University of Texas at Austin)
The University of Texas at Austin began with forty acres. People still talk of UT as "the forty acres." "Forty acres and a mule" was a promise supposedly made after the Civil…
5000 or M5 (dance move)
A "dip" dance move has also been called "Death drop" (or "Deathdrop"), "Shablam," "Shawam" (or "Shawham") and "5000." At the…
5GFlu (5G + flu)
During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many people questioned what the coronavirus was. They believed that the coronavirus was essentially the flu, plus the effects of 5G technology. The term…
5th Avenue (candy bar)
"5th Avenue" is the mystery candy bar. As the web discussions that follow describe it, the "5th Avenue" candy bar seems like it's been around forever, but no one seems to…
9-11 (One Day’s Pay: National Day of Voluntary Service, Charity, Compassion)
9-11-2001 was a national tragedy. Several events are held on the anniversary of that day. One Day's Pay has organized a National Day of Voluntary Service, Charity and Compassion.…
911 (emergency call)
911 is dialed for emergency calls; 311 is for non-emergency calls. The 911 system was introduced in New York City -- and nationwide -- in 1968. In the 1967 phonebook, Fire was "OPERATOR"…
98 Nicknames
The largest selection of New York City nicknames (see the other entries in this Nicknames/Slogans category) can be found in Names and Sobriquets of U.S. Cities and States (second edition 1970) by…
A Crappy Test (“ACT” backronym)
The ACT (originally "American College Testing") is a test that helps students enter college. The ACT test has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname "Another Crappy…
A Genuine Texas Town (Rotan slogan)
"A Genuine Texas Town" is the nickname of the small town of Rotan in Fisher County. The slogan appears on T-shirts and mugs. (The other Texas towns are not genuine?) Handbook of Texas…