Cioppino (Ciopino; Ciuppin)

Cioppino (or "ciopino") is a popular dish from the Italian community of San Francisco (ca. 1900), but the dish is also popular in Italian restaurants in New York City and on Long Island.…

Circus Peanuts (candy)

The circus has long been known for providing hungry patrons with pink lemonade and peanuts for sale. "Circus peanuts" became a popular name, just like "ballpark hot dogs." The…

City Chicken

The name "city chicken" is first cited in Ohio on 1926. "City chicken" is not chicken at all -- it's cubes of meat (such as pork or veal) placed on skewers, then breaded…

Citymeals-on-Wheels; City Harvest

Citymeals-on-Wheels and City Harvest are two programs that delivary food to poor, hugnry New Yorkers. I contributed the 1926 "meals on wheels" citations to the Oxford Englaish Dictionary.…

Clambake (Clam Bake)

The clambake (originally "clam bake" and "clam-bake") is a New England institution for baking clams and, quite often, giving political speeches. Corn, potatoes, onions and…

Clams Casino

John Mariani's Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink (1999) states: "A dish of clams mixed with butter, paprika, and shallots, then baked with small strips of bacon on top. The recipe…

CLT (chicken, lettuce and tomato)

"CLT" (chicken, lettuce and tomato is a sandwich similar to the "BLT" (bacon, lettuce and tomato). "CLTs (chicken, lettuce and tomato)" was printed in the Tustin (CA)…

COB Pizza (cheese-on-bottom)

"Red Front Pizza (Home of the COB)" is how the Red Front restaurant in Troy, New York (another restaurant is in Clifton Park, NY) bills itself on its website. "COB" stands for…

Cocktail

The origin of the word "cocktail" (alcoholic mixed drink) remains a mystery. One early theory supposed that it was served by Elizabeth Flanagan in Westchester County, around the time of…

Cocktail Hour

A "cocktail hour" is an "hour" when "cocktails" are served, but many other things besides cocktails can be served (soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres, for example)…

Cocktail Party

A "cocktail party" is simply a "party" where "cocktails" ( as well as other refreshments) are served. The Missouri newspapers in March 1917 credited a Mrs. Walsh of…

Cocktail Umbrella

A small paper umbrella is placed in the cocktail glasses at many tiki bars. The "cocktail umbrella" is sometimes credited to the Polynesian-themed restaurants of Trader Vic's or Don…

Cocktailian

Entry in progress -- B.P. Word Spycocktailian (kawk.TAYL.ee.un) n. A person who is an expert at making cocktails; a master bartender. —adj. Example Citation:"Professor" Jerry Thomas,…

Coco Bread

Coco bread is a Jamaican dish that has been popular in New York City restaurants since the 1970s. The Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery (founded in the Bronx in 1989, franchised since 1996) serves a…

Cocoanista (cocoa + fashionista)

"Cocoanista" (cocoa/chocolatier + fashionista) was coined in 2011 by Jacqueline Jacek, owner of JACEK Chocolate Couture in Sherwood Park (outside Edmonton). The term is a more descriptive…

Coffee Break

The "coffee break" became an American institution during World War II, when older and inexperienced workers were pushed into the workforce and needed breaks for refreshment. The…