James Cagney Love Scene
James ("Jimmy") Cagney (1899-1986) was a New York City-born actor who played tough guys on film. Cagney was honored with the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute in March…
Jassack (jackass)
"Jassack" (or "jass-ack") is a metathesis of the word "jackass." The word "jassack" was printed in the Marshall County Republican (Holly Springs, MS) on…
Jassack Band (Jackass Band; Jazzack)
"Jassack" (or "jass-ack") is a metathesis of the word "jackass." The word "jassack" has been cited in print since at least 1839. "Jassack" possibly…
Jimmy Award (National High School Musical Theater Award)
The Jimmy Awards are also called the National High School Musical Theater Awards. The annual award is named after James M. Nederlander, chairman of the Nederlander Organization (owner of several…
Kids In Satan’s Service (KISS rock band name backronym)
The rock band "KISS" formed in New York City in 1973. The band was not "Kiss," but "KISS," in all upper case letters. "KISS" popularly stood for "Keep…
Kings In Satan’s Service (KISS rock band name backronym)
The rock band "KISS" formed in New York City in 1973. The band was not "Kiss," but "KISS," in all upper case letters. "KISS" popularly stood for "Keep…
Knights in Satan’s Service (KISS rock band name backronym)
The rock band "KISS" formed in New York City in 1973. The band was not "Kiss," but "KISS," in all upper case letters. "KISS" popularly stood for "Keep…
La Gran Manzana (merengue band, 1982)
Henry Hierro and Victor Roque formed the merengue band "La Gran Manzana" ("The Big Apple") in 1982. The band members all lived in the New York City area. The band celebrated a…
Legacy Robe (Gypsy Robe)
The "gypsy robe" is a Broadway musical tradition that has nothing to do with the famous musical Gypsy (1959). The robe (a negligee) originally began with the musical Gentlemen Prefer…
Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps (marching band)
The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps was founded in 1979 as the New York Gay Community Marching Band by Nancy Corporon (music director) and Bob Wolff (general manager). The name change to…
Lindy Hop
The "Lindy Hop" is said to have started at the Savoy Ballroom, on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. The term "Lindy Hop" came into almost immediate use after Charles Lindbergh's…
Longest Street in America (Broadway nickname)
Broadway has sometimes been called "the longest street in America." "And our Great White Way is the brightest spot in the universe. The finest parks in the world are here. And the…
MacB (name used to avoid “Macbeth” curse)
William Shakespeare's play Macbeth includes witches, and theater tradition has it that the play is cursed. Saying the play's name or its lines (outside of an actual performance) is said…
MacBee (name used to avoid “Macbeth” curse)
William Shakespeare's play Macbeth includes witches, and theater tradition has it that the play is cursed. Saying the play's name or its lines (outside of an actual performance) is said…
MacDaddy (name used to avoid “Macbeth” curse)
William Shakespeare's play Macbeth includes witches, and theater tradition has it that the play is cursed. Saying the play's name or its lines (outside of an actual performance) is said…
Mackers (name used to avoid “Macbeth” curse)
William Shakespeare's play Macbeth includes witches, and theater tradition has it that the play is cursed. Saying the play's name or its lines (outside of an actual performance) is said…
Mae West (life preserver jacket)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Mae WestMary Jane "Mae" West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, singer, playwright, screenwriter, comedian, and sex…
Main Stem Femme (a Broadway girl)
Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) introduced the term "main stem femme" in Life magazine on June 4, 1928, in an article titled "Along the Main Stem."…
Main Stemmer (Mainstemmer)
"Main stem" was a popular nickname for Broadway, especially in the 1920s. A person who worked on the Broadway or who enjoyed Broadway shows was a "Main Stemmer" (or…
Melody Lane (West 28th Street, also called “Tin Pan Alley”)
"Melody Lane" was another name for what is now called "Tin Pan Alley," where the song publishers assembled on West 28th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Melody Lane got…