Horndog High (James Madison High School nickname)
Brooklyn's James Madison High School was dubbed "Horndog High" by the New York (NY) Daily News in December 2009, after two language teachers were caught by a janitor for apparently…
I’ve got a hunch that I don’t have any money left over after paying for college. It’s all intuition”
"Intuition" sounds like "in tuition," and there are jokes. I've got a hunch that I don't have any money left over after paying for college. It's all…
Iota Eta Pi (fictional fraternity)
"Iota Eta Pi" or "I Eta Pi" is a fictional fraternity name made to sound like "I ate a pie." "I. Eta Pi" has been cited in print since at least 1908 and was…
Jaspers (Manhattan College teams)
The Manhattan College teams (that play in the Bronx, of course) are called the Jaspers. It's one of New York's oldest sports team nicknames -arguably the oldest continuing one. Brother…
Joe College
"Joe College" is a college boy. The term was first used to a college-age boy who devotes much time to extra curricular activities; later use of "Joe College" has placed less…
Just Dumb (“J.D.” backronym)
The Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree for lawyers is sometimes given the backronym (back acronym) of "Just Dumb." "JD = just dumb" was posted on the newsgroup ba.broadcast on November…
Kapeesh (Italian for “understand”)
"Capisce" (also spelled "capeesh" or "kapeesh") is Italian for "understand." The slang spellings and pronunciation have long been a part of New York…
Keep Educating Yourself (“key” backronym)
"Keep Educating Yourself" is a backronym (or back acronym) of the word "key" that has been printed on many posters, usually shown with a hand writing the words on a school…
Kingsmen, Bridges (Brooklyn College teams)
Brooklyn College is in Kings County. The team nickname was "Kingsmen." But what do you call the women's teams? In the 1990s, the nickname was changed to "Bridges." 22…
Knightees (Queens College women’s teams)
Queens College calls its men's athletic teams the "Knights." In the 1970s, the women's athletic teams were called the "Knightees." The "Knightee"…
Knights (Queens College teams)
Queens College uses "Knights"as its team nickname. Queens Knights? New York City is has queens and kings and knights, but is short on rooks, bishops, and pawns. 12 December 1940, New York…
Knowledge Empowers You (“key” backronym)
"Knowledge Empowers You" is a backronym (or back acronym) of the word "key" that has been printed on many posters, usually shown with a hand writing the words on a school…
Kremlin (110 Livingston Street)
The Board of Education used to be located at 110 Livingston Street in Brooklyn. The new Department of Education is located at the Tweed Courthouse near city hall in Manhattan. In July 2003, Mayor…
Lawyer Losing Money (“LL.M.” backronym)
A lawyer receives a J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree; some lawyers go further for a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. The LL.M. degree has been criticized as useless and overly expensive, but a money-maker…
Linguinistics (linguine + linguistics)
"Linguine" (a type of pasta) is sometimes confused with "linguistics" (the scientific study of language), especially with the portmanteau word "linguinistics."…
Maccabees (Yeshiva University teams)
Yes, Yeshiva University has a sports team. It's called the Maccabees. 16 November 1975, New York Times, pg. 242:YESHIVAThe return of all five starters gives Yeshiva hope for bettering 5-14…
Magnet School
The first "magnet school" was in Philadelphia in the 1960s, not New York. A "magnet" school specializes in something (science or performing arts or business, for example) to…
Make Americans Think Harder (“math” backronym)
"Make Americans Think Harder" (or "Making Americans Think Harder") is a backronym (back acronym) of the word "math" that has been printed on many images.…
Manhattan College (in the Bronx)
Manhattan College is in the Bronx? Well, it used to be in Manhattan. Look: "The Big Apple" doesn't have apple orchards. An "egg cream" contains neither egg nor cream.…
Massive Bank Account (“MBA” backronym)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree often comes with a higher salary than just a bachelor's. The MBA is sometimes given the jocular backronym (back acronym) of "Massive…