Invaders (American League baseball team, later called Yankees)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Other early nicknames of the New York Yankees include "Highlanders," "Hilltoppers" and "Porchclimbers." Wikipedia: New York YankeesThe New…
New York City
Invisible Fist (invisible hand + fist)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Invisible handIn economics, the invisible hand of the market is a metaphor conceived by Adam Smith to describe the self-regulating behavior of the marketplace.…
Invisible Government
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Shadow government (conspiracy)The shadow government (cryptocracy, secret government, or invisible government) is a family of conspiracy theories based on the…
Inwoodite (inhabitant of Inwood, Manhattan)
"Inwoodite” is the name of an inhabitant of Inwood, in the borough of Manhattan. The name “Inwoodite” has been cited in print since at least 1929. Wikipedia: Inwood, ManhattanInwood is…
Iota Eta Pi (fictional fraternity)
"Iota Eta Pi" or "I Eta Pi" is a fictional fraternity name made to sound like "I ate a pie." "I. Eta Pi" has been cited in print since at least 1908 and was…
Iowa: “As Iowa goes, so goes Iowa”
"As Maine goes, so goes the nation" is an old political saying from the 1800s. In 1972, the Iowa caucus became the first political event of the U.S. presidential election. The winner of…
Iowa: “Iowa picks corn, New Hampshire picks presidents”
New Hampshire likes to brag that its primary is more important that the Iowa caucus to the presidential election cycle. In 1988, Vice President George H. W. Bush lost the Iowa caucus to Kansas…
Iowa: “Three tickets out of Iowa” (Iowa caucus adage)
The Iowa caucuses provide the first presidential voting in the United States. The political proverb is that "three tickets come out of Iowa" -- the first, second, and third place caucus…
Iowa: Full Grassley (politician visiting each county)
Chuck Grassley was first elected U.S. Senator in Iowa in 1980. During his campaign, Grassley visited each of Iowa's 99 counties -- something he would repeat every year in office. U.S.…
Iowa: I Oughta Went Around (backronym)
The state of Iowa was given the backronym (back acronym) nickname of "I Oughta Went Around" by truckers in 1974. The state strictly enforced the 55-miles-per-hour speed limit, and this…
Iowa: I Owe the World an Apology (backronym)
The "Iowa" state name comes from the Native American "Ioway" tribes, but some people give it a backronym (back acronym). ""I Owe the World an Apology" is an Iowa…
Iowa: Idiots Out Wandering Around (backronym)
The "Iowa" state name comes from the Native American "Ioway" tribes, but some people give it a backronym (back acronym). ""Idiots Out Walking/Wandering Around" is…
Iraq (LeFrak City); Kuwait (Queensbridge)
More hip-hop, from a rap by Capone and Noreaga. "Iraq" and "Kuwait" are in very limited use - possibly deservedly so. (Google Groups)From: Dee Phunk (deephunk@aol.com)Subject:…
Irish Amnesia or Irish Alzheimer’s (to forget everything but the grudge)
"Irish Alzheimer's" is a jocular name for a supposed disease where an individual forgets everything except the grudges. The term was cited in the New York (NY) Post in 2000, when it…
Irish Coffee (Gaelic Coffee)
New York City has many Irish immigrants, but San Francisco claims the introduction of Irish coffee into America. San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe's website states that writer Stanton…
Irish Grape (potato)
An "Irish grape" is a "potato," according to some slang. "We han meighl, and potatoes, too. My feyther use't to co' 'em Irish grapes" was printed in the…
Irish Handcuffs (alcoholic drinks in both hands)
"Irish handcuffs" is a slang term to describe having an alcoholic drink (such as a pint of Guinness) in each hand. "I spy him across the crowded room wearing Irish handcuffs, which…
Irish Nachos
"Irish nachos" are nachos with potatoes (something Ireland is famous for) used instead of tortilla chips. The same variety of toppings can be used, such as cheese, beans, onions, lettuce,…
Irish Riviera (Breezy Point)
Breezy Point (Far Rockaway) used to be called "the Irish Riviera." Spring Lake, New Jersey also claims the title. A newer nickname for the same area is "Hamptons West."…
Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread has long been a St. Patrick's Day treat. The name "Irish soda bread" dates in print to at least 1912, but the soda bread's "Irish" association became…