The Big Apple
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September 15, 2010
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Bedwetting Liberal

A "bedwetting liberal" (or "bed wetting liberal") is a derogatory term, similar to "liberal pansy," to describe a person weak in the bladder and (presumably) the…

January 18, 2016
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Beefsteak Nazi (brown on the outside, red on the inside)

"Beefsteak Nazi" is a term originally used in the 1930s for a German who was brown (Nazi) on the outside, but red (Communist) on the inside. "Beefsteak Nazis -- Brown outside but Red…

July 1, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Beltway (“Inside the Beltway,” Beltway Insider)

Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway) is a 64-mile Interstate Highway that encircles Washington, DC, that was finished in 1964. The terms "iinside the Beltway" and "outside the…

June 30, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Beltway Bandit

Washington, DC, is encircled by Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway). Many government workers retire on a pension and then set up consulting firms along the Beltway. These highly paid individuals --…

June 30, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Beltwaytarian

Washington, DC, is surrounded by a highway called the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495). Someone who is "inside the Beltway" is a Washington (or federal government) insider; someone…

July 2, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Benchslap (judicial bench + bitchslap)

A "benchslap" (judicial bench + bitchslap) is when a judge slaps down someone (such as a lawyer, another judge or the government) orally in court or in a written judicial opinion. The…

January 4, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Bidenflation or Bidinflation (U.S. President Joe Biden + inflation)

"Bidenflation" or "Bidinflation" (U.S. President Joe Biden + inflation) is a political term that has been popular with President Joe Biden's opponents (Republicans).…

January 4, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Bidinflation or Bidenflation (U.S. President Joe Bidwen + inflation)

"Bidenflation" or "Bidinflation" (U.S. President Joe Biden + inflation) is a political term that has been popular with President Joe Biden's opponents (Republicans).…

April 18, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Apple (USS Appalachian, 1946)

The USS Appalachian was launched on January 29, 1943. From May-July 1946, the ship served as headquarters for press representatives reporting on Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests carried…

April 18, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Apple (Yeaju-Dake Escarpment, Battle of Okinawa, 1945)

The Battle of Okinawa, in June 1945, was one of the last battles of World War II. A ridge on the Yeaju-Dake Escarpment was dubbed the "Big Apple," and it was reported in newspapers on…

April 30, 2021
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Apple Ball (Donald Trump Presidential Inauguration, 2017)

There were three official inaugural balls in January 2017 to celebrate the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. An unofficial ball, called DeploraBall, was probably the most famous ball. A…

November 30, 2025
The Big Apple1980s-present: Big Apple work by Gerald Cohen, Barry PopikGovernment/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Apple Church (Manhattan branch of New York City Church of Christ, 2012-present)

The New York City Church of Christ (originally known as the Central Park Church of Christ) began in June 1983. The "Big Apple Church" is the Manhattan branch. "Welcome to…

January 21, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Tent

Both Republicans and Democrats used to hold many tent meetings; the terms "Republican tent" and "Democratic tent" were used metaphorically to represent the party and its…

April 18, 2011
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Three (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security)

The "Big Three" entitlement items in the federal budget of the United States are Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Many political observers believe that the "Big Three"…

April 4, 2019
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big Ugly (New York State budget process nickname)

The New York State budget process in Albany, New York, has been called the "Big Ugly." The name comes from the 1990 budget deal -- "a 235-page monstrosity accurately dubbed 'the…

February 25, 2013
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Big White (White House nickname)

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States (and family). The blog Michelle Obama's Mirror satirically covers the activities of the first lady of the United…

April 27, 2023
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Bigger Apple (Manhattan Institute newsletter)

The Manhattan Institute is a conservative American think tank focused on domestic policy and urban affairs, located at 52 Vanderbilt Avenue in Manhattan. In 2020, the Manhattan Institute started…

February 27, 2012
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Biocrat (biology + bureaucrat)

"Biocracy" (biology + -cracy) was coined in 1933 by Dr. William Bradford Cannon (1871-1945) of Harvard Medical School. According to an article in the February 10, 1933 Harvard Crimson,…

August 10, 2022
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Biostitute (biologist + prostitute)

A "biostitute" (biologist + prostitute) is a person who works for an industry such as Big Ag (agriculture), Big Oil, Big Pharma (pharmaceuticals) or Big Tobacco and is paid to defend the…

June 16, 2014
Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health

Birkenstock Liberal

Birkenstock is a brand name of sandals and other shoes; they became popular in the United States in the 1990s. The term "Birkenstock (-wearing) liberal" became popular in 2003, when…

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BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

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