Ranchocado (ranch dressing + avocado)
"Ranchocado (ranch dressing + avocado) is a portmanteau for "avocado-ranch dressing." "Avocado ranch dressing: has been cited in print since at least 1993. Vegan Sandwiches Save…
1960s: Fun City
Random Act of Journalism
The term "random act of kindness" means to selflessly perform an act benefiting another person, without request and without expectation of a return of the kindness. "Random act of…
Random Acts of Pizza
"Random acts of pizza" (random acts of kindness + pizza) gives free pizza to people. Figaro's Pizza had "Random Acts of Pizza" campaigns in 2004 and 2006, when it randomly…
Ranger Cookies
The origin of the name "ranger cookies" (and the recipe as well) is unknown. Some claim that they were originally called "Texas Ranger cookies," while others claim they were…
Rapefugee (rape + refugee)
The European migrant crisis of 2015 saw European countries admit many refugees. News of these refugees committing rapes resulted in the name "rapefugee" (rape + refugee).…
Raspberry Effect
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh often refers to a media "Raspberry Effect." On February 1, 1993, Washington (DC) Post columnist William Raspberry (1935-2012) wrote a…
Rat Cheer (“right here”)
"Rat cheer" is (supposedly) how people in the South say "right here." The joke pronunciation dates from at least the early 1960s. Urban Dictionarycheer Southern U.S. slang for…
Rat Pack
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Rat PackThe Rat Pack was a group of actors originally centered on Humphrey Bogart. In the mid-1960s it was the name used by the press and the general public to…
Rat Rock (Central Park)
Wikipedia: Rat Rock (Central Park)Rat Rock, also known as Umpire Rock, is an outcrop of Manhattan schist which protrudes from the bedrock in Central Park, Manhattan, New York City. It is named…
Rathole (“money down the rathole”)
To throw or to pour something "down a/the rathole" means to put it in an endless space (where lots of rats enter and leave). "Money down a/the rathole" is money wasted, not to…
Rats With Antlers (deer nickname)
Texas has a large deer population. Many Texans view deer as a nuisance, calling them "rats with antlers." John McPhee of The New Yorker wrote an essay for the November 25, 1984 issue,…
Rattlesnake Code (Rattlesnake’s Code)
The "cowboy code" was an unwritten code of conduct for the cowboy, a way to treat everyone fairly and honestly. For gunslingers, there was also a "rattlesnake's code." The…
Raw Dog Oxygen (breathing without a face mask)
"Raw dog" usually means sexual intercourse without a condom. The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in requirements to wear face masks, and "raw dog oxygen" (or…
Ray’s Pizza (started by Ralph)
Many pizza places have "Ray" in the name. It all began in 1959 with Ray's Pizza at 27 Prince Street. http://www.urban75.org/photos/newyork/ny432.htmlRays Pizza, 1986-2005 New York…
Razzleberry Pie
"Razzleberry pie" was trademarked by Marie Callender's restaurants, with a "first use" date of 1998. Marie Callender's razzleberry pie is made with raspberries and…
Re-Re-Elect (third term election)
A politician is sometimes "elected" to a first term in office, "re-elected" to a second term, and "re-re-elected" to a third time. New York City's two-term mayor…
Read-In
A "read-in" (or "read in") protest takes its inspiration from the 1960s civil rights "sit-in" protests. "Read-ins" are usually held to protest cuts in a…
Readathon
A "readathon" (reading + marathon) is when there is a long session of reading; there may be many readers and there may be just one book (such as the Bible, a novel, a dictionary or…
Real Estatesman (Austin American-Statesman nickname)
The Austin American-Statesman is the daily newspaper for the capital city of Austin. The Democratic Statesman dates back to 1871, and today's newspaper is called "The Statesman" for…
Real Texas Baseball (Texas Rangers slogan)
"Real Texas Baseball" is a slogan of the Texas Rangers that was introduced in February and March 2014. Most people liked the slogan, but others questioned it. "So 'Real Texas…