#NotMyGroundhog
According to Groundhog Day tradition, if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2nd, this means six more weeks of winter. Many people people this tradition makes no sense, and the term…
Food Festivals
1312 (ACAB; All Cops Are Bastards)
A chanted jingle -- “I’ll sing you a song / And it wont take long [or: It’s not very long] / All coppers are bastards” -- has been cited in the United Kingdom since at least 1945.…
1400+ Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, etc., Pt. 1
The 2019–20 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was eventually declared to be a worldwide pandemic. Here are some associated quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, portmanteaus, acronyms,…
1400+ Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, etc., Pt. 2
The 2019–20 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was eventually declared to be a worldwide pandemic. Here are some associated quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, portmanteaus, acronyms,…
1400+ Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, etc., Pt. 3
The 2019–20 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was eventually declared to be a worldwide pandemic. Here are some associated quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, portmanteaus, acronyms,…
1400+ Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, etc., Pt. 4
The 2019–20 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was eventually declared to be a worldwide pandemic. Here are some associated quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, portmanteaus, acronyms,…
1400+ Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, etc., Pt. 5
The 2019–20 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was eventually declared to be a worldwide pandemic. Here are some associated quotes, jokes, riddles, puns, pickup lines, memes, portmanteaus, acronyms,…
1904 Sandwich
New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) teamed up with the sandwich shop Alidoro and Katz's Delicatessen in September 2022 to create the "1904 Sandwich." The…
1920s Non-Horseracing “Big Apple” Citations
There are "Big Apple" citations in the 1920s that have nothing to do with horseracing. These are after 1925. If you consider the horseracing uses to mean "Big Apple = New York…
1920s Vaudeville/Ragtime “Big Apple” Citations
The Chicago (IL) Defender is an African-American publication that has a national circulation. "Ragtime" Billy Tucker (a vaudeville/ragtime performer) wrote for the Defender from Los…
1925-1929: “Big Apple” in The Inter-State Tattler
The Inter-State Tattler is an African American newspaper from New York City that existed from 1922 to about 1932. There were four columns containing "Big Apple," and these occurred before…
1928: “On the Big Apple” column
In 1928, the New York Morning Telegraph ran a daily column of tidbits from the New York racetracks. Gerald Cohen spotted the first column. It is almost certain, given his long use of the term, that…
1931: “Around The Big Apple” column
Turf Play, a Chicago periodical, probably provides us with a third John J. Fitz Gerald "Big Apple"-titled column. On November 7, 1931, page 15, is "Around The Big Apple, By Mr.…
1963: John J. Fitz Gerald obituaries
John J. Fitz Gerald died during a newspaper strike in New York City. He never received proper credit for "the Big Apple." Much historical work on the Fitz Gerald family has been done by…
19th Hole (Nineteenth Hole)
A golf course usually has eighteen holes. THe "nineteenth hole" ("19th hole") is a jocular nickname for the clubhouse bar or restaurant, or a bar or a restaurant near the golf…
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…
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…