Ground Zero
After the terrorism of September 11, 2001, the location of the World Trade Center was quickly and popularly called "Ground Zero." This term was coined many years before--after the atom…
New York City
Ground Zero Mosque
In 2009, the Cordoba House (a proposed mosque and Islamic cultural center) was planned for the former Burlington Coat Factory building, two blocks away from "Ground Zero." Many people…
Grouponista (group coupon user)
Groupon is a company that produces "group coupons" that are presented to businesses for product discounts. The term "Grouponista" was used in July 2010 to describe someone who…
Grubberment (grubber + government)
"Grubberment" (grubber + government) is a portmanteau word that probably comes from "money-grubber." "While it may be true that today's grubberment accords no such…
Grunning (running + gunning)
Texas Governor Rick Perry (Republican) was jogging with his daughter's dog, in February 2010, when Perry spotted a coyote about to attack the dog. Perry got out his gun and killed the coyote…
Guac (guacamole)
"Guac" (pronounced "walk") is to "guacamole" what "mayo" is to "mayonnaise" -- a clipped version of the word that's popularly spoken (if not…
Guacamole
"Guacamole" isn't found in English-language cookbooks until about 1930. Guacamole is a Mexican dish and is called "huacamole" in Texan Ranch Life (1894). The food term…
Guacapocalypse or Guacpocalypse (guacamole + apocalypse)
"Guacapocalypse" or "guacpocalypse" (guacamole + apocalypse) is the disaster that strikes an eater when he or she realizes that there's no more guacamole left. Chipotle…
Guacward (guacamole + awkward); Awkward Guacamole
"Guacward" (guacamole + awkward) is a jocular word about the awkwardness in eating or making guacamole. The term "guacward" has been cited in print since at least 2010, when it…
Guantanamo on the Hudson (Little Gitmo) or Club Med on the Hudson (Pier 57)
Arrests were made during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Some (by no means all) protesters were arrested and taken to Pier 57 -- a place some called "Guantanamo on the Hudson"…
Guaran-damn-tee or Guaran-dam-tee (a firm guarantee)
A "guaran-damn-tee" (or "guaran-dam-tee") is the strongest possible guarantee, with "damn" added for emphasis. "I'll guarandamtee ya" has been cited in…
Guardian Angels
Curtis Sliwa, a night manager at a McDonald's restaurant in the Bronx, founded the Guardian Angels in 1979. Some say that he did it to help make New York City safer, and others say he did it…
Gubberment (Gubbermint)
"Gubberment" has been a black dialect word for "government" since at least 1813. "Gubbermint" has been cited in print since at least 1925.…
Gubmint or Gub’mint (Gubment or Gub’ment)
"Gubment" has been a black dialect word for "government" since at least 1861. "Gubmint" has been cited in print since at least the 1940s. Both terms are frequently…
Guess the Religion
"Guess the religion," popularized by Debbie Schlussel on her website, occurs when the news media -- following the Islamic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 -- doesn't identify…
Guesstimate or Guestimate (guess + estimate)
A "guesstimate" is a "guess/estimate." Business and government economic forecasting involves what many call "guesstimates" or "guesstimation." The word…
Guinea Gangplank or Guinea Gang Plank (Verrazano-Narrows Bridge)
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (usually called simply "the Verrazano") opened in 1964 and connects Staten Island with Brooklyn. The bridge has been called the "Guinea Gangplank"…
Gulf Coast Coffee (BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico)
Oil has been called 'Texas tea" since the opening song of television's The Beverly Hillbillies in the 1960s. Betsy Langert's "BP; Texas Tea or Gulf Coast Coffee" was…
Gulp of Mexico (tequila; Margarita cocktail; Corona beer; Tecate beer)
Several Mexican drinks have been said to be the "Gulp of Mexico" (wordplay on the "Gulf of Mexico"): . Tequila -- Tequila has been called the "Gulp of Mexico" since at…
Gumbo City (New Orleans nickname)
Gumbo was designated in 2004 as the official state cuisine of Louisiana. The city of New Orleans has sometimes been called the "Gumbo City," often used as a metaphor similar to…