LSD (Long Slow Distance)
Running author Joe Henderson published the book Long Slow Distance; The Humane Way to Train (1969). Others had also known that a good way to train was to run slowly over a long distance, but…
New York City
Lu Ann Platter & “Good Food From Good People” & “Tastes Like Texas, Feels Like Home” (Luby’s)
Luby's Cafeterias began in 1947 (although trademark records indicate a 1941 date). The famed "Lu Ann" platter (trademarked in the 1970s) features one entree and two sides. The…
Lubbock Clap
"Lubbock clap" is a nickname for an allegedly large number of sexually transmitted diseases at Texas Tech University in Lubbock (called the "Red Raiders"). Articles about STDs…
Lubbock Stare
The city of Lubbock was the birthplace of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly, and Lubbock has also been home to country musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Mac Davis, and more.…
Lubbockite (inhabitant of Lubbock)
"Lubbockite" is the name of an inhabitant of Lubbock, Texas. The name "Lubbockite" has been cited in print since at least 1908. Wikipedia: Lubbock, TexasLubbock ( /ˈlʌbək/)…
Luckenbach on the Llano (Castell nickname)
Castell is a tiny town in Llano County, on the Llano river. Tourists come to Castell to go kayaking and fly fishing. Randy Leifeste, owner of the Castell General Store, has called his town…
Lucky Family (Chinese dish)
"Happy Family" is a popular Chinese-American dish at many restaurants, but the ingredients can vary. Ch'uen chi fu ("happy family") was cited in the Brooklyn (NY) Daily…
Lufkinite (inhabitant of Lufkin)
"Lufkinite” is the name of an inhabitant of Lufkin, Texas. The name “Lufkinite” has been cited in print since at least 1907. Wikipedia: Lufkin, TexasLufkin is a city in Angelina County,…
Luggage On Tarmac (LOT Polish Airlines backronymic nickname)
LOT Polish Airlines was founded in 1929 and is the flag carrier of Poland. LOT has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname of "Luggage on Tarmack" (sic) since at least 1991 and…
Lulingite (inhabitant of Luling)
"Lulingite” is the name of an inhabitant of Luling, Texas. The name “Lulingite” has been cited in print since at least 1898. Wikipedia: Luling, TexasLuling is a city in Caldwell County,…
Lulu (or Looloo)
"Lulu" (or "looloo") means a payment "made in lieu of" something or nothing. It's widely used in New York State, but it's not certain if it comes from New…
Lunacracy (lunatics/lunacy + democracy)
"Lunacracy" (lunatics/lunacy + democracy) is an infrequently used term for a loony (or crazy) democracy, run by "lunacrats." The term "lunacracy" was used in the title…
Lunatic Soup (alcoholic drink)
"Lunatic soup" is slang used in Australia and New Zealand for an alcoholic drink. "A lively and humorous Temperance address by the Rev. W. H. Coates, who took as his text the words…
Lunch Break Rager
Flavorpill Media, along with Absolut Vodka, began "Lunch Break" parties in New York City in 2013. New York's workers spend the lunch hour at a dance party instead of at their desks.…
Lunch Break Rave
"Lunch break raves" started in Sweden in the fall of 2010. Instead of eating lunch at a desk, workers go to an hour-long dance party. The "lunch break rave" came to New York…
Lunch Wagon
The lunch wagon (often called the "night lunch wagon" or "night owl" or "owl" because of the night hours of the business) is first cited in a Worcester (MA) newspaper…
Luncheonette
A "luncheonette" was originally a small meal (a light lunch) that was served at drug stores, expanding the soda fountain service. "Luncheonette" is first cited in print in…
Lung Block
The term "Lung Block" described an area of the Lower East Side in the early 1900s where there were high instances of tuberculosis. The name was probably coined by Ernest Poole for the…
Lush Worker
A "lush worker" is a pickpocket who preys on drunks. People who fall asleep in the subway often get pickpocketed, and the term "lush worker" has been applied to these…
Luxury Liner Row
The largest luxury ships in New York harbor have (since about 1936) docked at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal, on the Hudson River between West 44th and West 57th streets, The nickname…