“New York’s not dead. It’s just underground”
"NEW YORK IS DEAD. DON'T COME BACK" is a saying that has been printed on many images. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many people left New York City. The statement by…
“New York’s tough without the coin, isn’t it?”
New York City can be a very difficult place for someone who doesn't have any money. American novelist and journalist Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) wrote about the music publishers of "Tin…
“New York’s water is so hard it comes at you with a switchblade”
"New York's water is so hard it comes at you with a switchblade" is a joke that was probably told during New York City's high crime days of the 1970s. Early citations of the…
“New York” and “Manhattan” and “Brooklyn” scatalogical terms
The following are some scatalogical ("dirty") terms that use "New York" and "Manhattan" and "Brooklyn." None of them is especially popular as far as I know.…
“New Yorkers are noted for their stupidity” (NYC’s population is very dense)
A popular joke has a teacher ask students what the people of London or New York are noted for. One student says that the people are noted for their stupidity because the textbook says that…
“New Yorkers think ‘upstate’ is anything north of the Bronx”
An old joke has it that a New Yorker considers anything north of the Bronx to be "upstate." The Bronx is the most northern borough of New York City. This definition of "upstate"…
“No man is an island. Manhattan is an island. Therefore, Manhattan is not a man.”
The English poet John Donne (1572-1631) is credited with the line, "no man is an island." Manhattan -- which starts with "man" -- is an island. A silly syllogism has been cited…
“No more free lunch!” (Fiorello La Guardia)
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia allegedly said "No more free lunch!" -- in Italian, no less ("E finita la cuccagna!") -- at his 1934 inauguration. It was a declaration against…
“Oh, you like NYC? Name every rat”
New York City has a lot of rats. Some people name them. "Oh you live in NYC??? Name every rat" was posted on X/Twitter by zitro on October 31, 2019. "oh you’re from NY? name every…
“On Line” (not “in line”)
New Yorkers say "on line" where other Americans say "in line." The Dictionary of American Regional English, volume III I-O, has this on page 877: in phr. on line: In line.…
“People who use public phone boxes are either buying drugs or having an affair”
There aren't many public phone boxes still around; people usually carry a mobile phone -- or two. "Fact: People who use public phone boxes are either buying drugs or having an…
“Plastic bags are the tumbleweeds of New York City”
Plastic bags have been described as "urban tumbleweeds." "Ahhh, plastic bags, the urban tumbleweed. - Ant" was posted on Twitter by EastBayAnt on April 8, 2008. "Black…
“Play west of the Hudson (River)”
"(Can't/Won't) play west of the Hudson (River)" means that something is too "New York" to succeed in the rest of the country. The comedian Alan King was often told…
“Popping a cell” (Rikers slang)
New York magazine published a cover story about the Rikers Island correctional facility on June 28, 2015. A recent inmate explained what "popping" a cell means: "I learned how to get…
“Practically everybody in New York has half a mind to write a book, and does”
"Practically everybody in New York has half a mind to write a book, and does" is a witty line that was credited to editor Bill Targ (1907-1999) in 1946. "The trouble with the…
“She said to kiss her where it smells bad, so I took her to New Jersey”
New Yorkers have jokes about New Jersey. One popular joke is: "A young couple were making out passionately in a car when the girl said, 'Oh, oh, kiss me where it smells so bad!" So…
“Shut up, Brooklyn”
The snarky website Gawker.com published a story on February 22, 2008 titled: "Report: Williamsburg Not As Cool As It Was, Earth Revolves Around Sun." TheHonJudgeSmalls commented:…
“So this is Flushing”
The Halleran family ("The real estate man") has a longstanding Queens real estate business. One popular slogan was: "So this is Flushing." A publication titled So this is…
“Someone asked me for directions, so you can call me a real New Yorker”
It's sometimes believed that one isn't a real New Yorker until he or she gives someone directions. "I just educated 2 people about local and limited busses and gave someone…
“Somewhere between living and dreaming, there’s New York City”
"Somewhere between living and dreaming, there's New York (City)" is a New York City saying that has been printed on many images. Authorship is unknown. "Somewhere between living…