Club Sandwich (Club House Sandwich; Clubhouse Sandwich)
The "club sandwich" probably originated at the Union Club of the City of New York in the 1880s. The World (New York, NY) printed on November 18, 1889: "Have you tries a Union Club…
New York City
Club Trillion (basketball slang for a benchwarmer’s statistics)
"One trillion" is basketball slang is when a player plays one minute, followed in the box score by a row of zeros -- 0 field goals, 0 three-point field goals, 0 foul shots, 0 points, 0…
Clubstaurant (club + restaurant)
A "clubstaurant" (club + restaurant) is part nightclub, part restaurant. An entertainment is provided along with the meal. The word "clubstaurant" appeared in the book…
CNBS (CNBC nickname)
The Consumer News and Business Channel was launched on April 17, 1989; in 1991, the name was shortened to "CNBC." The nickname "CNBS" has been used since at least 2007 by those…
CNN Effect
CNN (Cable Network News) provided live coverage of the 1991 Gulf War, including Operation Desert Storm (17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991). Many Americans watched CNN for the latest…
CNNPC (CNN nickname)
The Cable News Network (now called CNN) began in 1980 as the first all-news 24-hour television network. . "MSNPC" (MSNBC + NPC) is a similar nickname. CNN has also been nicknamed the…
Co-op City
"Co-op City" is that huge 1960s development in the Bronx. The parking situation there is a mess, but that's a story for another day. A good web site (with a Co-op City Web Ring) is…
Coachella East (Panorama Music Festival nickname)
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, in Indio, California, was founded in 1999. In 2015, Coachella's founders sought to have a similar festival in New York City. The proposed festival…
Coachspeak
"Coachspeak" (also "coach speak") is the language of sports coaches. The language often contains hidden messages for the team's players and for other teams; rarely is it…
Coastie (Coast Guard member nickname)
The United States Coast Guard is part of the United States Armed Forces and was created by Congress in 1790 as the "Revenue Marine." Members of the Coast Guard have been called…
Coattails
"Coattails" are tails on a coat; in political terms, someone who "rides on an elected official's coattails" is someone who gains from another person's gain. For…
COB Pizza (cheese-on-bottom)
"Red Front Pizza (Home of the COB)" is how the Red Front restaurant in Troy, New York (another restaurant is in Clifton Park, NY) bills itself on its website. "COB" stands for…
Cobb Salad (Southwest Cobb Salad; Southwestern Cobb Salad; Texas Cobb Salad)
Cobb salad was created and named after Robert (Bob) Cobb, the owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, California. There is some debate as to whether Cobb invented the salad in 1926…
Cocaine Importing Agency (Central Intelligence Agency or CIA nickname)
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the successor to World War II’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The CIA has long been accused of importing drugs into the United States, as depicted…
Cocktail
The origin of the word "cocktail" (alcoholic mixed drink) remains a mystery. One early theory supposed that it was served by Elizabeth Flanagan in Westchester County, around the time of…
Cocktail Conservative
A "cocktail conservative" has also been called a "country club conservative/Republican" or a "hot tub" Republican. The term "cocktail conservative" describes…
Cocktail Franks (Cocktail Weiners; Cocktail Wieners; Cocktail Weenies)
"Cocktail franks" are small-sized frankfurters often served with a toothpick as hors d'oeuvres during a cocktail hour. Prohibition ended in the United States on December 5, 1933;…
Cocktail Hour
A "cocktail hour" is an "hour" when "cocktails" are served, but many other things besides cocktails can be served (soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres, for example)…
Cocktail Party
A "cocktail party" is simply a "party" where "cocktails" ( as well as other refreshments) are served. The Missouri newspapers in March 1917 credited a Mrs. Walsh of…
Cocktail Umbrella
A small paper umbrella is placed in the cocktail glasses at many tiki bars. The "cocktail umbrella" is sometimes credited to the Polynesian-themed restaurants of Trader Vic's or Don…