Arbuckle (coffee)
Arbuckle's was a popular brand of coffee that was made in Pittsburgh (PA) after the Civil War. The coffee quickly became a favorite with cowboy cooks and so dominated the market that…
New York City
Archtober (architecture + October)
New York City's annual Architecture Week became an annual architecture and design month in October 2011 with the first "Archtober" (architecture + October), pronounced…
Aren’t Ready for the Marines Yet (“army” backronym)
"Aren't Ready for the Marines Yet" (sometimes also "Aren't Ready to be Marines Yet" and "Aren't Really Marines Yet") is a backronym (back acronym) for…
Arepa (“Arepa Lady”)
An "arepa" is a corn-based bread popular in South American countries such as Colombia and Venezuela. The "Arepa Lady" is the popular vendor of arepas in New York City,…
Arepera or Areperia (place that sells arepas)
An "arepera" or "areperia" is a place (such as a restaurant or a food cart) that sells arepas -- corn cakes usually filled with cheese (or other fillings). "Arepera"…
Aristocrat of Harlem (Cotton Club nickname)
The Cotton Club (located in Harlem at 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue from 1923 to 1935, then midtown at Broadway and 48th Street from 1936 to 1940) was called the "Aristocrat of Harlem."…
Aristocrat of the Village (Barney Gallant’s nickname)
Bernard "Barney" Gallant (1884-1968) operated several speakeasies in Greenwich Village. "Barney Gallant's" was located at 85 West 3rd Street. From 1929 through 1931, the…
Arizona: “In Arizona we salt margaritas, not sidewalks”
A margarita cocktail is often served in a glass with a salted rim. A cold climate area might use salt on sidewalks and roads to prevent icing. "We salt margaritas, not sidewalks" (or…
Arizona: Valentine State (nickname)
Arizona is called the "Valentine State" because it was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912 -- Valentine's Day. U.S. President William Howard Taft purposely chose the special…
Arkansas: “Arkansas is just Kansas for pirates”
The name of the state of "Arkansas" also contains the name of the state of "Kansas." There is "Ar" that is added, and this is something that a pirate might say.…
Arkansas: “Arkansas is the only state mentioned in the Bible” (joke)
It is sometimes claimed that Arkansas is the only state mentioned in the Bible because Noah looked out of the "Ark and saw." "When was Noah in America? When he was on the…
Arkansas: Bear State (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)Bear State n. U.S. the state of Arkansas (occas. also California).1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms App. s.v., I once asked a Western man…
Arkansas: Land of Opportunity (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Land of opportunityThe land of opportunity is a phrase used to suggest that a place presents many possibilities for people to earn a prosperous living, and…
Arkansas: The Natural State (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & CultureState Nicknamesaka: Official State Nickname(...)In the early 1940s, a group of Little Rock (Pulaski County) businessmen…
Arkansas: Toothpick or Toothpicker (nickname)
An "Arkansas toothpick" is a jocular name for a dagger-like blade, similar to a Bowie knife. It was famous for ending fights, not picking teeth. "Arkansas tooth pick" was cited…
Arkansas: Wonder State (nickname)
Entry in progress -- B.P. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & CultureState Nicknamesaka: Official State Nickname(...)In the early 1940s, a group of Little Rock (Pulaski County) businessmen…
Arklatex (Ark-La-Tex, ArkLaTex, also Arklatexoma)
"Arklatex" (also spelled "Ark-La-Tex" and ""ArkLaTex") is a regional name composed of the state names of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Sometimes Oklahoma is…
Arlingtonian (inhabitant of Arlington)
"Arlingtonian" is the name of an inhabitant of Arlington, Texas. The name "Arlingtonite" has been cited in print since at least 1912. An inhabitant of Arlington has also been…
Arlingtonite (inhabitant of Arlington)
"Arlingtonite" is the name of an inhabitant of Arlington, Texas. The name "Arlingtonite" has been cited in print since at least 1907. An inhabitant of Arlington has also been…
Armadillo Droppings (praline candy)
"Armadillo Droppings" is the name of a praline candy from the Armadillo Candy Co. Lammes Candies has "Choc'Adillos" made from almonds, but "Armadillo Droppings"…