Good Enough Diploma (“GED” backronym)
General Education Development (GED) tests offer an opportunity for a student to achieve a Certificate of High School Equivalency. The comedian Chris Rock wrote in his book Rock This! (1997):…
Grammar Nazi
The Nazi Party and its leader, Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), are well known. "The Soup Nazi" episode of the television sitcom Seinfeld (original airdate on November 2, 1995) made the term…
Greatly Ridiculous Exam (“GRE” backronym)
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)is a standardized test that is required for admission to many graduate schools. The GRE has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname of "Great…
Half Of My Energy Wasted On Random Knowledge (“homework” backronym)
"Half Of My Energy Wasted On Random Knowledge" is a popular backronym (back acronym) of the word "homework" and has appeared on many images. "H.O.M.E.W.O.R.K. = half of my…
Hawks (Hunter College teams)
Hunter College calls its athletic teams the "Hawks." No one knows why. 7 December 1955, New York Times, pg. 55:Hunter College's basketball team gained its second victory in two…
Hippie School (P.S.3-The Charrette School nickname)
P.S. 3 (John Melser Charrette School), at 490 Hudson Street in Greenwich Village, has a stated vision of child-centered learning; students are encouraged to be creative in their activities. P.S. 3…
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…