Peacock Alley
If you're staying at the Waldorf, perhaps this bit of "alley" history will prove interesting. OSCAR OF THE WALDORFby Karl SchriftgiesserNew York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc.1943Pg.…
Biggest Little City in the World (Reno, Nevada nickname)
Peacock Network (NBC)
NBC (originally the National Broadcasting Company) is sometimes called the "Peacock Network." The peacock symbolized the new color broadcasts and was introduced in the 1950s.…
Peakist
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: peakistNounpeakist (plural peakists)1. A supporter of the peak oil theory, or one who advocates policies that depend on this theory Wikipedia: Peak oilPeak oil…
Peanut Brittle
Peanut brittle is a hard sugar candy that contains peanuts; other brittles have other nuts. "Peanut brittle" was cited in The World (New York, NY), on March 20, 1892. A store in Paterson,…
Peanut Brutal (peanut brittle joke)
Peanut brittle can be hard on teeth, causing many to call it "peanut brutal." The "peanut brutal" joke was cited in 1947 and twice again in 1960 newspapers. Wikipedia: Brittle…
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (The Elvis; Velvet Elvis; Elvis Sandwich)
The peanut butter-and-banana sandwich became popular in the Depression years of the 1930s. In June 1957, it was recorded that Elvis Presley's favorite sandwich was peanut butter with mashed…
Peanut Gallery
A "peanut gallery" is the top balcony of a theater -- the cheapest seats with usually the furthest views of the stage, and where the crowd often got rowdy. The term "peanut…
Peanut Sticks (Peanut Stix)
Peanut sticks are sticks of glazed donuts, coated in crushed peanuts. The food is a specialty of Buffalo, New York, where it was made at Freddies Doughnuts (1935-1989). They are a popular item at…
Peanutzi or Peanazi (peanut + Nazi)
"Peanutzi" or "peanazi" (peanut + Nazi) is a term-- similar to "feminazi" (feminist + Nazi) -- that describes a militant anti-peanut activist. Some people suffer from…
Pearl (Parks Department squirrel mascot)
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation introduced "Pearl" (a cartoon squirrel) as its mascot in an April 2010 event. There was a contest, but the Parks Department went…
Pearl Diver (a person who washes dishes)
"Pearl diver" is a nickname for a person who washes dishes -- someone who "dives" for dishes in hot, greasy water. 'Pearl diver" has been cited in print since at least…
Pearl of the Prairie (El Campo nickname)
The term "pearl of the prairie" has been used since at least 1880, when there was a show titled Buffalo Bill at bay or, The pearl of the prairie. According to The Handbook of Texas…
Pecan Capital of the World (San Saba); World’s Largest Pecan (Seguin)
Texas declared the pecan as the official state tree in 1919. Many areas of Texas and Oklahoma have competed for the title of "Pecan Capital." San Saba has been called the "Pecan…
Pecos Bill (legendary superhuman cowboy)
"Pecos Bill" really did exist and was the nickname of William Rufus Shafter (1835-1906), a United States Army officer. The mythical cowboy "Pecos Bill" appeared in 1923, in the…
Pecos Cantaloupe
The Pecos area of West Texas began irrigation and cultivation of the cantaloupe in the early 1900s. By 1913, Pecos cantaloupes were famous for their sweetness and overall flavor. The term…
Pecosin’ (Pecosing) & Pecos Swap
"Pecosin'" is an old-time term that means to kill someone and throw the body into the Pecos River, often with weights so it drowns. Later, the term "Pecosin'" (or the…
Pecosite (inhabitant of Pecos)
"Pecosite” is the name of an inhabitant of Pecos, Texas. The name “Pecosite” has been cited in print since at least 1890. Wikipedia: Pecos, TexasPecos is the largest city in and the…
Pedernales River Chili (LBJ recipe)
Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas was the 36th President of the United States, but this recipe was published when he was vice president in 1961. Pronounced "Pur-DIN-alice," the Pedernales…
Pedestal Complex (Hall of Fame obsession)
Charles W. Colson (1931-2012) wrote in The Body: Being Light in Darkness (1992): "Today this mentality translates into what we call the pedestal complex; it is rampant throughout the church.…
Pedestrian Manager
A "pedestrian manager" might also be called a "crossing guard." Sam Schwartz Engineering (Sam Schwartz was an assistant commissioner of transportation who helped popularize the…