Muggers’ Express (4 subway line)
The Guardian Angels began in February 1979 (the group was started by Curtis Sliwa in 1977 as the "Magnificent 13") and patrolled the #4 Lexington Avenue subway train. "The…
Origin of “Canuck” (“Johnny Canuck”)
Mugwump
"Mugwump" burst upon the political scene in the spring of 1884 after being used and explained in the New York Sun. A "mugwump" is a person from one party who supports a…
Mulita
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: TacoAlso prepared on the grill is a sandwiched taco called mulita ("little mule") made with meat served between two tortillas and garnished with…
Mulligan Stew
Entry in progress -- B,P,[This entry was prepared with research assistance of Sam Clements of the American Dialect Society listserv and the Early Sports and Pop Culture History Blog.] Wikipedia:…
Mum In Love with Fitness (MILF)
"MILF" usually stands for "Mother/Mom/Mama I'd Like to Fuck." "Mothers In Love with Fitness" was trademarked with a first use date of September 24, 2006.…
Mumblecore
"Mumblecore" films have low budgets, unknown actors and often improvised scripts, with the actors seemingly mumbling their lines. Sound editor Eric Masunaga coined the term while at…
Mumbo Sauce
"Mumbo sauce," "mambo sauce" and "mombo sauce" are three different spellings for perhaps the same sauce, served as a barbecue sauce on fried chicken wings, fired jumbo…
Mungo/Mongo
"Mungo" is a word used by sanitation workers to refer to things salvaged from the trash. It haf been assumed that it comes from "mung," a cheap cloth. But no direct link has…
Muppet Trade
"Muppets" are the uninformed general public (or "sheeple") -- the customers who seek expert financial advice, but are often fleeced in the process. On March 14, 2012, the New…
Muppetry (muppet + puppetry)
Entry in progress -- B.P. "muppet" The Telegraph (UK)What would Kermit make of such muppetry?Goldman Sachs needn’t fear copyright lawyers, but they might need to smooth-talk their…
Muppets (derogatory name for financial clients)
"Muppets" are puppets originally created by Jim Henson (1936-1990). Muppet characters are almost universally loved by both children and adults. On March 14, 2012, the New York (NY) Times…
Mural Capital of Texas (Breckenridge nickname)
Breckenridge was named the "Mural Capital of Texas" by the Texas legislature in 2001. Murals were painted around the town by Billy Ines, based on historic town photos. ePodunk:…
Murder Avenue (Myrtle Avenue)
Myrtle Avenue (Fort Greene, Brooklyn) used to be known as "Murder Avenue" in the early 1990s, but the neighborhood has changed. http://www.myrtleavenue.org/newsPress_media_2004.cfmMyrtle…
Murder Burger
"Murder Burger" is sold at the First Way Deli ("Home of the Murder Burger") in the Bronx, at 1030 East Tremont Avenue and West Farms. The deli's "Murder Burger"…
Murder City (Ciudad Jua?rez nickname)
Ciudad Juárez (across the Rio Grande from the Texas city of El Paso) achieved the nickname "murder city" in 2010, with the publication of the book Murder City: Ciudad Juárez and the…
Murder, Inc.
"Murder, Inc." is the name of the old criminal association of the 1930s and 1940s. The name was coined in a New York World-Telegram headline, from headline writer Asa Bordages…
Murderapolis (murder + Minneapolis)
The city of Minneapolis (MN) was dubbed "Murderapolis" (murder + Minneapolis) by some in the 1990s after an increase in crime. Mark Koscielski, a gun shop owner, sued Minneapolis for its…
Murderers’ Row
"Murderers' Row" is a true New York City term. It grew from the infamous "Tombs" prison (long demolished) in the 1800s. In the 1920s, "Murderers' Row" was…
Murderna (Moderna nickname)
Moderna is an American pharmaceutical that manufactured an mRNA vaccine during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This vaccine was Moderna's only product, and some critics called the company…
Murray Hell (Murray Hill + hell)
The New York Observer has called the Murray Hill section of Manhattan "Murray Hell." The strip of Third Avenue, between 29th and 38th Street, just has too many young people. The horror!…