United We Stand (9-11 slogan)
"United We Stand" appeared almost immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks (see Google Groups posts below). The saying has appeared on badges with an image of the World Trade…
Origin of the word “Autism”
University in Exile (New School for Social Research)
The New School for Social Research was famous for its "University in Exile" during the 1930s. Many Jewish scholars, discarded by universities in Nazi Germany, came to New York City to…
University of Havana-North (Columbia University)
Television show commentator Bill O'Reilly (host of he O'Reilly Factor on Fox News) called Columbia University "University of Havana-North" in his "Talking Points" memo…
University of Life
The "university of life" is the experience gained outside of formal schooling. The term "university of life" has been cited in print since at least 1853. A term similar to the…
University of Texas at Omaha
The University of Texas at Austin Longhorns have been so successful in baseball that the school has been nicknamed "The University of Texas at Omaha," after the College World Series of…
Unlimited Shit and Mass Confusion (“USMC” backronym)
"Unlimited Shit and Mass Confusion" is a backronym (back acronym) of "USMC" (United States Marine Corps). "Unlimited Shit and Mass Confusion" has been cited in print…
Unring the Bell (impossibility of taking back a statement or action)
The expression "(you can't) unring the bell" has been frequently used in courts of law. Once an attorney makes a statement or presents evidence, jurors can't "unring the…
Untaper
"Taper" became a financial buzzword in 2013, when there was speculation that the Federal Reserve would lessen its "quantitative easing" (what some have called…
Unwashed (“the great unwashed”)
"The (great) unwashed" means the masses, the multitudes, the hoi polloi, the common people, and other similar terms. In 1800, a Glasgow professor referred to mechanics as "unwashed…
Up or Down Vote (thumbs up or thumbs down)
An "up or down vote" is a straight "yea or nay" vote on an amendment or a bill. An "up or down vote" can also be called a "clean vote," although that usually…
UpChuck E. Cheese or Upchucky Cheese (Chuck E. Cheese’s nickname)
Chuck E. Cheese's is a pizza chain of family entertainment centers. The nickname "Upchuck Cheese Pizza" has been cited in print since at least 1988, "UpChuck E. Cheese"…
Uplift Town (McLean nickname)
The Texas town of McLean had a bra factory in the first half of the 29th century. McLean was humorously nicknamed "The Uplift Town" on a sign, and also went by the nicknames of…
Upper Ten (Thousand)
The "Upper Ten Thousand" were the elite of New York City society in the 1840s. The term is no longer used. (Oxford English Dictionary)a. upper ten, the upper classes; the aristocracy.…
Upper West Fest
The "Upper West Fest" was inaugurated in 2006 and figures to be an annual event. It takes place on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and is being promoted by Symphony Space.…
Upstate Manhattan (Washington Heights & Inwood)
The upper Manhattan neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Inwood are far removed geographically and culturally from midtown Manhattan. New Yorkers frequently call anything above Westchester…
Upstuck (poker winning/losing)
Irish-American professional poker player Phil Laak coined the word "upstuck" in August 2015. "Upstuck. A poker term invented by @PhilLaak 2 describe being stuck from ur…
Uptown Arts Stroll
The Uptown Arts Stroll began in 2003 in Washington Heights and Inwood. Artists use local restaurants and stores as if it were all one large art gallery. The "art stroll" had been used…
Uptowner
An "uptowner" is someone who inhabits the "uptown" section (often, but not always, located to the north) of a geographical area. "Up-towners" was cited in print in…
Urban Harvest
Urban Harvest is Slow Food USA's new festival in New York City. http://www.slowfoodusa.org/events/urban_harvest.htmlOctober 2 URBAN HARVEST & NEW AMSTERDAM MARKETwith Spirits of the Region…
Urban Jungle; Concrete Jungle; Asphalt Jungle
New York City has been called an "urban jungle" and a "concrete jungle" and an "asphalt jungle." These terms have been applied to other cities as well. The Asphalt…