Apodment (pod + apartment)
A small apartment is sometimes called an "apodment" (pod+ apartment). The word "apodment" was trademarked by Calhoun Properties of Seattle, Washington, with a first use in…
Archtober (architecture + October)
New York City's annual Architecture Week became an annual architecture and design month in October 2011 with the first "Archtober" (architecture + October), pronounced…
Bellbottom (9 West 57th Street)
The tower at 9 West 57th Street in Manhattan has been called the "bellbottom." The building slopes (like a ski jump) at the bottom. http://www.thecityreview.com/57w9.html9 WEST 57TH…
Best Escape Anyone Can Have (“beach” backronym)
"Best Escape Anyone Can Have" is a backronym (back acronym) of the word "beach" that has been printed on many images. "B.E.A.C.H. = Best Escape Anyone Can Have" was…
Big Willy, Mental Dental Building, Filling Station, Tooth Tower (Williamsburg Bank Building)
The Williamsburg Bank Building is the tallest building in Brooklyn. It is opening up to residential living, but it has been known for its dental offices. Nicknames have included Willy and Big…
Billionaire Beanstalk (luxury skyscraper)
Justin Davidson of New York magazine coined "billionaire beanstalk" (luxury skyscraper) in an architecture review on September 15, 2013: "In theory, developers of these…
Binfluencer (bin + influencer)
There are social media "influencers," and there is also the neighborhood "binfluencer" (bin + influencer). "Wheelie bin" is a UK term for what Americans call the…
Black Rock (CBS); Hard Rock (ABC); 30 Rock (NBC)
"Black Rock" is the name of the CBS building at West 52nd Street and Avenue of the Americas. The outside of the building shows the black stuff. The name also comes from the John…
Blueway (East River Blueway)
Rntry in progress -- B.P. River to the People: The East River Blueway PlanAbout The East River Blueway PlanThe Office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in collaboration with the Office…
Boomerang Buyer
The Wall Street Journal's October 15, 2012 article, "'Boomerang' Home Seekers Become Eligible for Mortgages and Hit Market Again" by Conor Dougherty and Dawn Wotapka,…
Bridal Building
The Bridal Building is in the Garment District (or, Fashion Center) at 1385 Broadway, by 38th Street. The name "Bridal Building" itself isn't that old, but bridal wear has been in…
Broker Babble
"Broker babble" is "real estate-speak" by real estate brokers. The babble uses terms as a broker sees fit -- even though the words can be misunderstood by others. "Broker…
Bronx Riviera (Orchard Beach)
Orchard Beach in the Bronx was opened by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the 1930s; it was so grand that it was called "the Riviera of New York." Other, Bronx-specific nicknames for…
Bronx Toilet (Yankee Stadium)
Yankee Stadium has been called "the Bronx Toilet" by Boston Red Sox fans. A new Yankee Stadium has been planned next to the current one. One post below states that the Bronx Cineplex has…
Brooklyn Hilton (Brooklyn Detention Complex)
The Brooklyn Men's House of Detention, 275 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, has been nicknamed the "Brooklyn Hilton" since at least 1968. The nickname probably borrows from "Hanoi…
Brooklyn’s Carnegie Hall (Young Israel Beth El of Borough Park nickname)
Young Israel Beth El of Borough Park, Brooklyn, was built 1920-1923, in a Semitic style that combined Moorish ornament with Judaic motifs. "This sanctuary provided a fitting backdrop for the…
Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower (Coney Island Parachute Jump)
The Coney Island Parachute Jump has been called "Brooklyn's Eiffel Tower." It was moved to Steeplechase Park in 1941, after the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. The Parachute…
Brooklyn’s Jewel or Brooklyn’s Backyard (Prospect Park)
Brooklyn's Prospect Park opened in 1868, finished by the same team of Olmsted and Vaux that made New York's Central Park. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses called Prospect Park "the…
Brownstone
"Brownstone" apartments can be found in some of the older sections of New York. They were popular in the early 19th century. The term probably originated in New York. (Oxford English…
Burnham’s Folly (Flatiron Building)
"Burnham's Folly" is frequently said to be an early nickname of Manhattan's Flatiron Building at 175 Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street, completed in 1902. The Flatiron Building was…