Stud Muffin or Studmuffin (an attractive man)
A "stud muffin" (or "studmuffin") is a very attractive man (a "stud"). The "muffin" ending is less understandable, and it possibly is related to the similar…
Origin of the word “Autism”
Student Affluence Test (“SAT” backronym)
The SAT test (popularly used in college admissions) once stood for “Scholastic Aptitude Test” and then “Scholastic Assessment Test.” There have been many backronyms (back acronyms) for…
Studio Apartment
The "studio" (or "studio apartment") is all in one room. It's usually the name for the smallest living space you can buy -- even smaller than a one-bedroom apartment. The…
Studs and Duds (player acquisition strategy)
"Studs and duds" is a player acquisition strategy that is especially popular in constructing fantasy sports teams. A few high-priced "studs" are acquired, and then low-priced…
Stuff and Guff, or Gog and Magog (Herald Square figures)
The New York Herald newspaper used to be printed at what is now still called Herald Square (34th Street, where the Macy's department store is). Two bell ringers (dubbed "Stuff" and…
Stump Speech
A "stump speech" originally was a speech (often given by a political candidate) where the speaker stands on a tree stump. The term "stump speech" has been cited in print since…
Stumpkin (stout + pumpkin)
Heartland Brewery serves a "Stumpkin," or "stout" plus "pumpkin" ale. The only trademark for "stumpkin" appears to be for the name of a doll.…
Stumptown (Portland nickname)
"Stumptown" (or "Stump-town") is a Portland nickname, perhaps most popularly used since 1999 in the business name "Stumptown Coffee Roasters." According to Oregon, end…
Stupid Ass Test (“SAT” backronym)
The SAT test (popularly used in college admissions) once stood for "Scholastic Aptitude Test" and then "Scholastic Assessment Test." There have been many backronyms (back…
Stupid Bowl (stupid + Super Bowl)
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League. The first Super Bowl was held in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1967; the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas…
Stupid Party (Republicans) & Evil Party (Democrats)
An old Washington joke is that the Republicans are called "the stupid party" and the Democrats are called "the evil party." When the Republicans and Democrats get together on…
Stupid Test Acknowledged As Ridiculous (“STAAR” backronym)
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is a standardized test that, in 2012, began to replace TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, frequently nicknamed "Torture…
Stupor Bowl (stupor + Super Bowl)
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League. The first Super Bowl was held in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1967; the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas…
Submarine Sandwich (Sub Sandwich)
The "hero sandwich" is a regional sandwich name popular in New York City since the 1930s; "submarine sandwich" has been popular since the late 1930s and "sub"…
Subourbon (sub-bourbon)
"Subourbon" (suburb + bourbon) is a portmanteau word that is mostly jocular. "What do they drink in The Southern Suburbs? Subourbon!" was posted on Twitter by Bosse Löthén on…
Subourbon (suburb + bourbon)
"Subourbon" (suburb + bourbon) is a portmanteau word that is mostly jocular. "What do they drink in The Southern Suburbs? Subourbon!" was posted on Twitter by Bosse Löthén on…
Subpoena Cannon
The Democrats won control of the House of Representatives after the November 2018 election. Axios reported "Democrats load "subpoena cannon" with 85+ Trump target" by Mike Allen…
Substandard & Poor or Substandard & Porous (Standard & Poor’s nickname)
Standard & Poor's (S&P) is one of the "big three" credit-rating agencies, along with Moody's and Fitch. On August 5, 2011, S&P received much criticism for…
Subvertising (subvert/subversive + advertising); Subvertisement
"Subvertising" (subvert/subversive + advertising) makes spoofs or parodies of corporate and political advertisements. "Such forms of 'subvertising,' as jammer ally Mark…
Subway Acrobat
A "subway acrobat" is someone who performs gymnastic moves on the subway, often using the subway's poles (or straps). The show is done for free, but the performer usually asks for…