Hell’s Kitchen
New York City has many hells -- "Hell Gate," for example. "Hell's Kitchen" is one of the most famous and enduring of New York City neighborhood names. "Hell's…
New York City
Hell’s Kitchener (inhabitant of Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan)
"Hell's Kitchener” is the name of an inhabitant of Hell's Kitchen, in the borough of Manhattan. The name “Hell's Kitchener” has been cited in print since at least 1899.…
Hell’s Kitchenette
"Hell's Kitchenette" is a neighborhood nickname spun off from the name Hell's Kitchen. The nickname could indicate a smaller Hell's Kitchen, encroached by development. The…
Hell’s Pantry
Hell's Pantry is a neighborhood name spin-off from Hell's Kitchen. Entertainment writer Earl Wilson (see citations below, from as early as 1951) claimed that "Hell's…
Hello Dolly Squares (Hello Dolly Bars; Hello Dolly Cookies; Hello Dolly Cake; Hello Dollies)
The Broadway musical Hello, Dolly! opened on January 16, 1964, and became one of the longest-running Broadway shows ever. The musical features a restaurant scene. The origin of foods named…
Hells Fargo or Hell’s Fargo (Wells Fargo nickname)
Wells Fargo bank was founded in New York City in 1852. Wells Fargo -- one of the Big Four banks in the United States with Bank of America, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase -- is now headquartered in…
Hellsea (Hell’s Kitchen + Chelsea)
Hellsea (or HellSea) is a Manhattan neighborhood nickname, blending Hell's Kitchen with Chelsea. "Hellsea" appears to have been coined by gay publications (2004 Go Guide and Out…
Hellyweird (hell + weird + Hollywood)
"Hellyweird" (hell +weird + Hollywood) is a portmanteau word for the city of Hollywood and its entertainment industry. The name “Hellywood” has been used by those who believe that…
Hellywood (hell + Hollywood)
"Hellywood" (hell + Hollywood) is a portmanteau word for the city of Hollywood and its entertainment industry. "Hellywood" has been printed on many images. The name…
Hen Coop (the women’s page) & the first advice column
"The Hen Coop" column began on July 20, 1898 in the New York Evening Journal. It was a women's page and the first women's "advice column," like an early "Dear…
Hen Fruit (eggs)
"Hen fruit" is a jocular way to say "eggs." "Hen fruit" has been cited in print since at least 1844; "henfruit" has been cited since 1864. "'Hen…
Herald Square and Times Square
"Herald Square" was named after the New York Herald newspaper in 1893. It is the area around West 34th Street. "Times Square" was named after the New York Times newspaper in…
Herb
"Herb" is the name of a weakling. Burger King ran a 1980s ad campaign featuring "Herb," and it's believed to have influenced use of the name. 26 December 1985, Washington…
Herf (draw on a cigar or cigarette)
"Herf" was first used by "Prince of Skeeves" on the newsgroup alt.smokers.cigars on November 21, 1996. On November 23rd, "Prince of Skeeves" explained: "To…
Herkie Jump (or Herky Jump, after Lawrence Herkimer; incorrectly as Hurkie Jump or Hurky Jump)
The "Herkie jump" (also sometimes spelled "Herky jump," and incorrectly as "Hurkie jump" or "Hurky jump") was invented and named after Lawrence Herkimer of…
Hero Ball (basketball style)
"Hero ball" occurs in basketball when one player decides to be the "hero" and take the crucial shot(s). "Hero ball" can work when that player is a superstar, but team…
Hero Sandwich
Hoagie, Sub, Grinder -- there are many regional sandwich names. New Yorkers have a "hero." The Italian sandwich -- before it was called a "hero" -- was popularized in the 1890s…
Heroin Highway (Eighth Avenue; Long Island Expressway)
A "heroin highway" is any street where heroin is either transported or sold. Hastings Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, was called a "heroin highway" in 1955. The U.S.…
Heroin Island (heroin + Staten Island)
The heroin epidemic on Staten Island made news in 2014 and 2015, creating the nicknames "Heroin's New Hometown" and "Heroin Island." "Heroin’s New Hometown: On…
Herroner (her honor)
"Herroner" ("her honor") is the feminine equivalent of "hizzoner" ("his honor"). While "hizzoner" dates back to 1880s Chicago, "herroner"…