Armchair Isolationism (Armchair Isolationist)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Congress in September 2013 that the United States should intervene in Syria, following the evidence of a chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government on…
New York City
Armchair Quarterback (Armchair Quarterbacking)
An "armchair quarterback" is someone who follows a football game from the comforts of home. An armchair quarterback can question the decisions of the game's actual quarterback, away…
Arnold Palmer or Half-and-Half (lemonade + iced tea)
An "Arnold Palmer" (named after the famed golfer) is a drink of half lemonade (sometimes pink lemonade) and half iced tea. The drink is also called a "half-and-half," although…
Arrestable (protester predetermined to be arrested)
An "arrestable offense" is some action that violates the law. "Arrestables" are protesters who are predetermined to be arrested. Organizers of protests often stage the arrests…
Arugulance (arugula + arrogance)
"Arugulance" was popularized by Maureen Dowd's New York (NY) Times column, titled "The Aura of Arugulance," published online April 18, 2009. Dowd had been talking about the…
As Stoned As Possible (ASAP)
"ASAP" usually means "As Soon As Possible." Some people joke that that they will arrive ASAP -- "As Stoned As Possible." "ASAP As Stoned As Possible" was…
Asian Wall Street (San Gabriel Valley, CA)
Entry on progress -- B.P. Alhambra Source "Asian Wall Street" on Alhambra's Valley BoulevardFebruary 16, 2012 Alex Zhou USC Contributor Alhambra is no longer simply the "Gateway…
Asiantation (Asian + orientation)
The term "oriental" is often regarded as an ethnic slur. Some people jocularly believe that a school "orientation" should be called "Asiantation." "Orientation…
Asphalt Capital of the World (Talco nickname)
Oil was discovered at the small town of Talco, Texas in 1936. The oil was low gravity crude, but it yielded a high percentage of asphalt. By at least March 1939, Talco was being called the…
Aspirin Alley (Broadway)
"Aspirin Alley" is an infrequently used nickname for Broadway, possibly because the street's dizzying lights require a person to take an aspirin. New York newspaper columnist O. O.…
Assassiversary (assassination + anniversary)
An "assassiversary" (assassination + anniversary) is the anniversary of an assassination. For example, November 22nd is the "assassiversary" of the 1963 assassination of John F.…
Associated Depressed (Associated Press nickname)
The Associated Press (AP) is a news agency founded in 1846 and headquartered in New York City. The nickname "Associated Depressed" has been popularized by conservative radio talk show…
Associated Propaganda (Associated Press or AP nickname)
The Associated Press (AP) is a news agency founded in 1846 and headquartered in New York City. The derogatory nickname "Associated Propaganda" has been cited in print since at least…
Asstros (Houston Astros baseball team unofficial nickname)
Non-fans of the Houston Astros baseball club sometimes call them the "Asstros" or "ASStros." The derogatory term has been recorded frequently starting from the late 1990s, with…
AssWhole Foods (Whole Foods nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P.Whole Foods Market Wikipedia: Whole Foods MarketWhole Foods Market, Inc. is an American foods supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas. Founder John Mackey…
Astor House Rolls; Roast Beef “a la Astor House”
The Astor House (1836-1926) was once one of the most famous hotels in New York City. It stood at Broadway, between Vesey and Barclay Streets (not far from city hall). Dining at the Astor House was…
Astoria Borealis (Astoria, Queens + Aurora Borealis)
"Astoria Borealis" (a combination of "Astoria, Queens" and "aurora borealis," the northern lights) describes any light show in the sky over Queens. "The…
Astorian (inhabitant of Astoria, Queens)
"Astorian” is the name of an inhabitant of Astoria, in the borough of Queens. The name “Astorian” has been cited in print since at least 1876. The city of Astoria, Oregon, was also named…
Astroturf (Astroturfing)
"AstroTurf" is a proprietary name (trademarked in 1968) for an artificial grass. While a "grassroots" political campaign has authentic support, an "astroturf" campaign…
Asylum Street (Guadalupe Street nickname in Austin)
Guadalupe Street in Austin used to be nicknamed "Asylum Street" because just down the block from the University of Texas was the State Lunatic Asylum (at 4110 Guadalupe, now called the…