New York Steamer (slang)
"New York Steamer" is a trademarked sub sandwich from Firehouse Subs, a Florida-based restaurant chain. The chain began in 1994, and the name was also trademarked in 1994. Firehouse Subs…
New York Swat Vest (from England)
The "New York Swat Vest" appears to be a Thatchreed Viper Vest from England. It is not authorized by the NYPD or New York City in any way.…
New York Tough (#NewYorkTough)
"#NewYorkTough" was posted on Twitter by Antwan Baggs on February 28, 2011. During the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made this tweet on March 22, 2020:…
New York Trigger
A "New York trigger" is a trigger on guns to make it harder to fire. This was intended to cut down on accidental shootings. A "New York trigger" is harder to pull because…
New York Values
Ted Cruz, the U.S. Senator from Texas, and Donald Trump, the New York City developer, had a debate on "New York values" in January 2016, when they were contending for the Republican…
New York will be a nice town when it’s finished
On January 1, 2006, in his inaugural address, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated: "It was O. Henry who once wrote that 'New York will be a great place -- if they ever finish…
No Soap. Radio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_soap_radio The Wikipedia entry above is a good explanation of this "joke." Was it born in the Bronx? 18 June 1971, New York Times, pg. 63:No. 1 is the home…
NY Pause (2019–20 coronavirus pandemic)
In response to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo instituted "NY Pause" on March 20, 2020, that closed non-essential businesses. On April 6, 2020,…
NYPD & FDNY
After September 11, 2001, clothing with "NYPD" and "FDNY" became popular sellers. Both sets of initials were trademarked only vary recently. Why do the agencies have these…
Official Bird of New York City (middle finger; pigeon)
New York City does not have an official bird. New York State's official bird is the eastern bluebird. It's sometimes said that the official "bird" of New York City is the middle…
Only city with a foreign policy (politicians visiting Israel and Puerto Rico)
New York City politicians have regularly visited places such as Israel and Puerto Rico to appeal to those ethnic constituancies. New York City has sometimes been called the only city to have a…
Only in New York
The New York Times has published a book collection of its FYI columns titled Only in New York (2004). A big red apple is on the cover of the book, but "the Big Apple" is never answered in…
Only the little people pay taxes (attributed to Leona Helmsley)
Leona Helmsley (wife of Harry Helmsley, the real estate manager) was convicted of tax evasion. Her Connecticut housekeeper testified that, in 1983, Leona Helmsley told her that "only the…
Only the Strong Survive (Bronx, Brooklyn, or NYC slogan)
"The Bronx - Only the Strongest Will Survive" is a t-shirt saying. The same sentiment can be found in parts of Brooklyn. A University of Pittsburgh basketball player wrote "Only the…
Oz Prize or Ozzie (Asia Society journalism award)
The Asia Society (located on Park Avenue) awards the somewhat oddly named "Oz Prize" or "Ozzie" each year, but it has nothing to do with Australia. It's the nickname of the…
Parsons Table
The "Parsons table" is often thought to have some religious connotation, but it's actually a product of the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Wikipedia: Parsons tableThe…
Pay-to-Pray (Sunday parking meter regulations)
Parking meter days-in-effect were extended to Sunday. In 2005, critics labeled the policy "pay-to-pray." "Pay-to-pray" had been used in state politics in 2004 in connection with…
Perp Walk
"Perp" means "perpetrator." The New York City "perp walk" is the long walk the perp takes, usually from a vehicle into a building, facing the cameras of the press…
Potty Parity (Women’s Restroom Equity Bill)
The 2005 "potty parity" law declares that there should be more women's than men's restrooms because women take longer to go. 3 December 2003, Associated Press, "'Potty…
Pride of Midtown (FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, at 48th Street and Eighth Avenue)
FDNY (Fire Department of New York City) Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, at 48th Street and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan, has been called the "Pride of Midtown." The firehouse lost 15…