An ocean on one side and New Jersey on the other.
New York City, according to the famous writer O. Henry, has "an ocean on one side and New Jersey on the other." August 1904, McClure's Magazine, "A Tempered Wind" by O.…
Apple Awards (Guides Association of New York City)
The Guides Association of New York City (GANYC) is a private group; all members are tour guides licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. An apple is part of the…
Apple-picking (theft of Apple products)
"Apple-picking" means picking apples from a tree, but "Apple-picking" (with a capital "A") refers to thefts of Apple products, such as the iPhone and iPad.…
April 1st & the Bronx Zoo (Telephone Hoax)
It's April 1st. You see a note on your desk to call a Mr. Lyon. Or Mr. Wolf. Or Mr. Katz. Don't do it! It's not known if this telephone hoax began in New York, but it certainly may…
Bat Mitzvah
The Bat (or Bas) Mitzvah began in New York City in May 1922. The place was the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (http://www.thesaj.org), located at 15 West 86th Street. The synagogue was run…
Battle of the Badges (Fire vs. Police)
The "battle of the badges" occurs when the fire department fights with the police department, usually on rescue situations. The rivalry has sometimes been fierce. After the 9-11 tragedy,…
Bi-coastal (NY & LA)
In the 1970s, people in the entertainment industry who lived and/or worked in both New York City and Los Angeles referred to themselves as "bi-coastal" (or "bicoastal"). The…
Big Apple (cannabis)
"Big Apple" (by Minntz) and "Big Apple Cake" (by Joke's Up) are the names of cannabis products that became available in 2020 and 2021. The packaging of "Big…
Big Apple Cake (cannabis)
"Big Apple" (by Minntz) and "Big Apple Cake" (by Joke's Up) are the names of cannabis products that became available in 2020 and 2021. The packaging of "Big…
Big Apple Greeter
"Big Apple Greeter" (www.bigapplegreeter.org) was started in 1992 by Lynn Brooks. It's New York's version of Welcome Wagon. Volunteer residents show visitors what's what…
Big Apple Red (color)
"Big Apple Red" has been a popular color of nail polish. "Nail polish sorted out by color: Peach Ice, Flamingo Pink, Big Apple Red" was cited in print in 1970, but the nail…
Big Appling (to visit New York City)
The "Big Apple" dance became a national craze in 1937. "Governor Wins Praise for 'Big Appling'" -- dancing the Big Apple -- was printed in The News and Courier…
Big Belly (trash compactor)
"Big Belly" has been introduced to New York City. It's a new, solar-powered trash can that could be on a corner near you. "Big Belly" is a trade name by Seahorse Power…
Big Board
The New York Stock Exchange refers to itself as "the Big Board." The name is over 100 years old. 2 November 1897, Chicago Daily Tribune, pg. 1: Old Stock Exchange men agree that there…
Big Brothers (Big Sisters)
The "Big Brother" organization got its start in New York City in 1904. The organization now includes "Big Sisters." The honorary street sign on East 30th Street and Third Avenue…
Big Six
"Big Six" was the name of the Americus fire truck used by Boss William Tweed and his Tammany Hall gang. Later, "Big Six" was the nickname of the great New York Giants baseball…
Big Six (Albany, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
The term "Big Six" has historical significance in New York. Since at least the 1950s, New York State's six largest cities have been called "Big Six." "With little…
Blue Wall of Silence (Blue Code of Silence)
Organized crime has long had a "code of silence," where one doesn't testify against another. The New York Police Department also had a "blue code of silence" (named after…
Brainstorm
"Brainstorm" was the catch word at the trial of the century. Harry Kendall Thaw had shot and killed architect Stanford White (September 11, 1853 - June 25, 1906) over their mutual…
Broken Windows; COMPSTAT; CAPSTAT
"Broken Windows" is a theory of policing that says you go after the little things (e.g., "squeegee men") and it will help you take care of the big things (e.g., murder rate).…