Rhode Island: Gun Flint (nickname)
A person from Rhode Island was nicknamed a "Gun Flint" in the 19th century. "Rhode Island, Gun Flints" was cited in a state nickname list in 1845, but the term was only…
1960s: Fun City
Rhode Island: Little Rhody (nickname)
Rhode Island is the smallest state (in physical area) in the United States. The nickname "Little Rhody" (also ""Little Rhodie," "L'il Rhody" and "Little…
Rhubarb (a heated dispute)
The term "rhubarb" (meaning a heated dispute) is sometimes said to have started in 1938 or 1939, when a Brooklyn Dodgers fan shot and killed a New York Giants fan in an argument. New York…
Rhythm And Poetry (“rap” backronym)
Entry in progress -- B.P. TwitterMateo Amarei 強 愛 音楽Verified account@MateoAmarei@djdnice Hell I agree with you, D. RAP means rhythm and poetry...but lately the poetry has been lacking.…
Rialto (14th Street theater district, pre-Broadway)
"The Rialto" was the 14th Street theatre district. The theatre district has long since moved uptown, and "the Rialto" is no longer used. The term was extremely popular in the…
Rib-Off
A "rib-off" (not a "rip-off," and having nothing to do with "Adam's rib") is also called a "rib cook-off." It's a cooking contest where ribs and…
Rich Boy (sandwich name variant of “poor boy”)
New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for its "poor boy" ("po' boy") sandwich. However, at about the same time as the birth of the "po' boy," Martin J. Cull…
Rich Boy (sandwich)
New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for its "poor boy" ("po' boy") sandwich. However, at about the same time as the birth of the "po' boy," Martin J. Cull…
Richistan (a place where rich people live)
"Richistan" ("rich" with a "-stan" suffix) is a place where rich people live. The term was popularized by Wall Street Journal writer Robert Frank in his book,…
Richmond County Fair
The annual Richmond County (Staten Island) Fair began in 1979 and has a little bit of everything. The event benefits the Staten Island Historical Society and Historic Richmond Town. Historic…
Rickey (Gin Rickey; Lime Rickey)
The "rickey" drink is named after Colonel Joe Rickey of Missouri (who died in New York City in 1903). The drink was first mixed by George Williamson at Shoomaker's in Washington,…
Ridgite (inhabitant of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)
"Ridgite” is the name of an inhabitant of Bay Ridge, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Ridgite” has been cited in print since at least 1893. The full name of "Bay Ridgite"…
Riding Club (cocktail)
Entry in progress -- B.P. 21 May 1893, Cleveland (OH) Plain Dealer, pg. 17, col. 2:THE MANHATTAN.The Greatest of American Democratic Clubs.The Manhattan club at Fifth avenue and Thirty-fourth…
Right Kind of Guy (RKG)
A "Right Kind of Guy" (RKG) is a player who has good character and a genuine love of the game. College football coach Brian Kelly used "RKG" at the University of Cincinnati in…
Right Side of Texas (Beaumont slogan)
"Right Side of Texas" was a slogan for the city of Beaumont. In 2003, the city went with "Texas With a Little Something Extra," to promote its Louisiana ("lagniappe")…
Rightard (right + retard)
"Rightard" (right + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political left against the political right. "Rightard" has been cited in print since January 2003.…
Rightosphere (right blogosphere)
The "rightosphere" is the "right blogosphere," containing blogs of the political right. The term "rightosphere" has been in print since at least May 2005. A similar…
Rightroots
"Rightroots" (right + grassroots) is a word that was coined in August 2006 by the ABC PAC. "Rightroots" began as an effort by the political right to respond to the political…
Rigulator or Riggulator (rig/rigging + regulator)
"Rigulator" or "riggulator" (rig/rigging + regulator) is a term used by those who believe that government does more than regulate. The term "rigulator" has been…
Ring of Steel (proposed security measure)
London developed a "ring of steel" in the 1990s to protect the city against terrorist threats. A similar "ring of steel" has been proposed for downtown Manhattan.…