American Riviera

Both California and Florida have claimed the title of "American Riviera" from as far back as the 1890s. 7 November 1892, Los Angeles Times, pg. 9:SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.(...)THE AMERICAN…

Capital of Latin America (Miami nickname)

The city of Miami, Florida, has been nicknamed the "capital of Latin America." The source of the nickname is usually credited to Ecuadorian President-elect Jaime Roldós Aguilera…

Cigar City (Tampa nickname)

"Cigar City" is still a nickname of the city of Tampa, but its cigar days ended in 1959 when Fidel Castro took power and trade with Cuba halted. Cuba sent its tobacco to both Tampa and…

Cuban Hamburger (Frita)

A "Cuban hamburger" that's served in Florida might look like a hamburger covered with shoestring potatoes, spiced with paprika and onion, and topped with mojito sauce. The…

Cuban Sandwich; Medianoche Sandwich

Cuban sandwiches and medianoche (midnight) sandwiches are popular in Cuban communities in Florida. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long rolls includes blimpie, bomber, Dagwood,…

Derby Daiquiri (and Derby Daiquiri Pie)

The drink of the famed Kentucky Derby is the mint julep. The Florida Derby (at Gulfstream Park) has its own drink -- the Derby Daiquiri. Cocktail.com (below) asserts that the "Derby…

Explosionism (art of explosions)

Drew Lausman of Lakeland, Florida, had his late brother give him firecracker explosives in 2011. Lausman started creating what he termed "explosionism" paintings. A story about…

Floribbean (Florida + Caribbean)

"Floribbean" is "Florida" + "Caribbean." National Airlines advertised "Floribbean" vacations in the 1960s. In the early 1990s, "Floribbean" became…

Florida Glare (fiction genre)

The New Yorker's Critic-at-Large Adam Gopnik wrote "In the Back Cabana: The rise and rise of Florida crime fiction" for the June 10, 2013 issue. Gopnik declared that the L.A. noir…

Florida Room

A "Florida room" is a room with lots of sunshine. It can be a screened porch or a room with lots of windows. The term is used in several states, but the Dictionary of American Regional…

Floriduh (Florida + duh)

"Floriduh" (Florida + duh) is an unflattering nickname that was popularized during the U. S. presidential election recount of 2000. The Boston (MA) Herald, on November 10, 2000, ran the…

Fly-up-the-Creek (Florida nickname)

A person from Florida was called a "fly-up-the-creek" in the 19th century. This was originally a name for the green heron that can be found in the state. "Florida, Fly up the…

Fucking Crappy Ass Test (“FCAT” backronym)

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a standardized test for students in Florida's primary and secondary public schools. The FCAT has been given the backronymic (back acronym)…

God’s Waiting Room

So many retirees moved to Florida that it has been called "God's waiting room. However, it appears that Pasadena, California had this nickname first. 16 March 1953, Times-Bulletin (Van…

Grits and Grunts

"Grits and Grunts" is a famous Florida dish, perhaps not to the liking of all. A "grunt" is a fish that often makes that sound; many people prefer other fish than grunts.…

Gunshine State (gun + Sunshine State)

"Gunshine State" (gun + Sunshine State) is a Florida nickname that has been featured on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and bumper stickers -- and often illustrated with a…

Hush Puppies

The exact origin and reason for the name "hush puppies" remain a mystery. It's known that "corn dodgers" were eaten all throughout the South. Pinpointing the origin of when…