Tar Beach
"Tar Beach" is the rooftop (often composed of tar) where one can sit and get a tan, as if on the beach. The term "tar beach" has been cited in print since at least 1941. New…
The Bronx? No Thonx!
The Bronx?No thonx! This - one of the shortest poems ever - is the product of Ogden Nash (1902-1971). It was called a "Geographical Reflection" in his book Hard-Lines (1931). In 1964,…
The Friendly Firehouse (Ladder Co. 159, Brooklyn)
Ladder Co. 159 on East 48th Street near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn has been called the "Friendly Firehouse" since at least the late 1990s, when a yellow smiley face was painted on the…
The public be damned! (William H. Vanderbilt)
"The public be damned" was the famous 1882 retort of railroad magnate William H. Vanderbilt. The writer Rufus Hatch popularized the phrase in this damning interview. 17 October 1882,…
Themhattan (them + Manhattan)
"Themhattan" (them + Manhattan) is a jocular name to get the "man" out of the borough of "Manhattan." "I am offended by this. It should clearly by Theyhattan or…
There’s a sucker born every minute (NY gambler slang, but not P. T. Barnum)
"There's a sucker born every minute" has been attached to showman P. T. Barnum, but a detailed examination of everything he ever wrote has failed to produce the phrase. He either…
Theyhattan (they + Manhattan)
"Theyhattan" (they + Manhattan) is a jocular name to get the "man" out of the borough of "Manhattan." "I am offended by this. It should clearly by Theyhattan or…
Third Degree
"The thrid degree" was the punishment the police inflicted on a prisoner to procure a confession. It was officially made illegal in the early part of the 1900s. The third degree is the…
Ticker-tape Parade
New York City is known for its "ticker-tape parades," usually on the "Avenue of Heroes" (Fifth Avenue) or on the "Canyon of Heroes" (Broadway in Lower Manhattan).…
TLC (Taxi & Limousine Commission; Tender, Loving Care)
The "TLC" is the "Taxi and Limousine Commission." The TLC may give you "tender, loving care," or it may not. "TLC=tender, loving care" is a military acronym…
Toilet Paper (or, Medicated Paper)
Did "toilet paper" originate in New York City? Yes, New York had "medicated paper" in 1857-58, but this wasn't successful. The words "toilet paper" appear first…
Tree of Hope
The "Tree of Hope" in Harlem stood before the old Lafayette Theatre at Seventh Avenue and 131st Street. Actors who stood beneath it would gain employment. The tree was cut down in 1934 to…
Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut)
New York's "tri-state area" is almost always New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Some times in the past, Connecticut might have been dropped for Pennsylvania or Delaware. An old…
Two New Yorks; Other New York; How the Other Half Lives
"Two New Yorks" or "Other New York" was the campaign theme of Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2001. It is also the theme for his…
Twofer
In the days just after World War II and before the Times Square TKTS. booth, sagging Broadway shows would offer "two-fers." These are two tickets for the price of one. 5 July 1947, New…
Unbought and Unbossed
"Unbought and Unbossed" was the title of the late Shirley Chisholm's 1970 autobiography. Chisholm was the first black woman to become a member of Congress. However, former New York…
Unique New York (tongue twister)
This was on the internet group rec.humor, "Tongue Twisters Wanted," on May 2, 1991: Unique New York.Unique New York.I love to live inUnique New York. There are 581 Google hits for…
United We Stand (9-11 slogan)
"United We Stand" appeared almost immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks (see Google Groups posts below). The saying has appeared on badges with an image of the World Trade…
Urban Jungle; Concrete Jungle; Asphalt Jungle
New York City has been called an "urban jungle" and a "concrete jungle" and an "asphalt jungle." These terms have been applied to other cities as well. The Asphalt…
Variety
The show business newspaper Variety began in New York City in 1905. However, the word "variety" (show business meaning) also comes from New York City. I've been trying to verify the…