Charbucks (Starbucks nickname)
Starbucks Coffee Company is a coffeehouse chain that began in Seattle, Washington in 1971. There are many Starbucks outlets in New York City, especially in Manhattan. Starbucks has been criticized…
New York City
Charity Stripe (basketball free-throw line)
Basketball's foul line is called the "charity stripe" (or "charity line") because, after a player gets fouled (sometimes with a hard hit), that player gets…
Charley Horse (Charlie Horse)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Charley horseCharley horse is a popular colloquial term in Canada and the United States for painful spasms or cramps in the leg muscles, typically lasting…
Charlie Taylor (butter substitute)
"Charlie Taylor" (or "Charley Taylor") is the name of a butter substitute made by cowboy cooks. The name may have been taken from the Charlie Taylor of Charlie, Texas, but the…
Charlotte Russe
The charlotte russe (sometimes capitalized as "Charlotte Russe") has been called "Brooklyn ambrosia," although the Bronx also claims the dessert. In the first half of the 1900s…
Charm City (Baltimore nickname)
"Charm City" is an example of a coined city nickname that has stuck. According to The Sun (Baltimore, MD) on July 11, 1974: "The 'Charm City, U.S.A.' promotion, prepared as…
Charm of the Texas Coast (Rockport-Fulton nickname)
"Charm of the Texas Coast" is the nickname of Rockport-Fulton, about thirty miles northeast of Corpus Christi. The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce has a Volunteer Charmer Program in…
Charm Offensive
The political term "charm offensive" probably borrows from the earlier political term "peace offensive," meaning an active movement (or "offensive") aimed at achieving…
Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros; Frijoles a la Charra; Cowboy Beans)
"Charro beans" (also known in Spanish as frijoles charros and frijoles a la charra) are sometimes translated as "cowboy beans." The dish comes from Guadalajara, Mexico and…
Charter School
"Charter schools" were started in Minnesota in the early 1990s. They operate independently of the local school system, thus offering much-needed competition. (Oxford English…
Chartichoke (Arctic char + artichoke)
Artichokes have nothing to do with the Arctic or Antarctica, but there are jokes. Some jokes involve the cold-water fish Arctic char. "'Antartichoke' - @al_bal4 trying to decide…
Charticle (chart + article)
A "charticle" is a "chart" that's also an "article." The term "charticle" was used in Forbes magazine since at least February 23, 1998. Forbes'…
Chat-Down
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has long used "pat downs" to check potential air travelers for weapons. In August 2011 at Boston's Logan Interational Airport, the…
Cheap Charlie (candy store)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksCassell's Dictionary of Slang By Jonathon GreenLondon: Cassell2006Pg. 266:cheap charlie n.[late 19C-1900s](US) a candy store. Google BooksThe Routledge…
Cheapatarianism (cheap + vegetarianism); Cheapatarian
"Cheapatarian" has been cited since at least 1999 and has been infrequently used to describe someone who likes cheap things (not necessarily food). "Cheapatarian" (cheap +…
Cheapuccino or Cheappuccino (cheap + cappuccino)
A "cheapuccino" or "cheappuccino" (cheap + cappuccino) is an inexpensive, low-quality cappuccino, such as one from 7-Eleven vending machine. "Cheapuccino" has been…
Cheat Every One (Chief Executive Officer or CEO nickname)
"CEO" stands for "Chief Executive Officer." Some critics believe that CEOs are overpaid, with the critics defining "CEO" as "Cheat/Cheating/Cheats Every…
Cheater Ribs
Texas barbecuing is usually done with lots of smoke over lots of time, "low and slow." However, not everyone has lots of time! Canadian barbecue champion Ron Shewchuk published the recipe…
Check Pants Republican (Check Pants Conservative)
A "Check Pants Republican" (or "Check Pants Conservative") is a Republican/Conservative who wears check pants. The term is similar in meaning to "Country Club…
Checkbro (chess word alternative to “checkmate”)
"Checkmate" is a chess term meaning that a king is threatened and cannot move away, so the game is over. Some people have suggested changing "mate" (a term popular in Australia)…