Gairville
"Gairville" was once the nickname of that area of Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, now known as DUMBO. Robert Gair (1839-1927) was a successful paper-box and paper-bag…
Gala “Big Apple” mascot (Metro Ink, 2023)
Metro Ink describes itself on X/Twitter: "Hosting Splatoon LAN Events in New York City! Stay tuned for the next event! | Contact metroinkprod@gmail.com for Inquiries." Metro Ink is based…
Gallerina (gal + art gallery + ballerina)
A "gallerina" (gal + art gallery + ballerina) or "gallery girl" is a receptionist at an art gallery. A man can also be a "gallerina," although most gallerinas are…
Gang Buster or Gangbuster
Before New York City had "ghost busters" it had "gang busters" or "gangbusters." The term probably originated in the 1920s with Captain Cornelius W. Willemse, who…
Gang Green (New York Jets nickname)
Somewhat later than "Big Blue" (Giants) came "Gang Green" (Jets). The nickname comes from the green color of the Jets' uniforms and logos. Although "Gang Green"…
Gang of 500
ABC News published a weekday morning news summary called The Note beginning January 14, 2002. Mark Halperin founded The Note and coined the term "Gang of 500" -- politicians, lobbyists,…
Gangplank Willies (reporters covering ship news at the trans-Atlantic docks)
"Gangplank Willies" is the name for the news reporters and photographers who met famous passengers coming to New York City on trans-Atlantic ships in the 1900s, 1910s, 1920s and 1930s.…
Gangster Government
Entry in progress -- B.P. Jewish World ReviewMay 7, 2009 / 13 Iyar 5769 We have just seen an episode of Gangster Government By Michael Barone Last Friday, the day after Chrysler filed for…
Ganjapreneur (ganja + entrepreneur)
A "ganjapreneur" (ganja + entrepreneur) is a capitalist who sells ganja (marijuana) legally to medical marijuana patients. "Colorado's Marijuana Economy: An Explosion of…
Gapers’ Block
Patrolman Irving Francis ("Irv") Hayden provided rush hour traffic reports on Chicago's WGN radio in the 1960s. He coined the term "gapers' block" (cited in print…
Gaphattan (Gap + Manhattan)
"Gaphattan" (Gap + Manhattan) was coined by New York City-based journalist Gersh Kuntzman in Newsweek magazine in 2003 and was popularized in The Brooklyn Paper (where Kuntzman also…
Garbage Bread
"Garbage bread" is another name for a stromboli; many different ingredients are used and wrapped up in a roll of dough. The term "garbage bread" has been cited in print since at…
Garden Apartment
The Queensboro Corporation developed the country's first "garden apartments" in Jackson Heights in the 1910s. The corporation's founder and director was E. A. MacDougall. A…
Garden Spot of the World (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
Greenpoint -- and sometimes all Brooklyn itself -- has been called the "Garden Spot of the World." Bermuda was the "Garden Spot of the World" in ads in the 1910s. Long Island…
Garibaldi (sandwich)
Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) was an Italian political leader who briefly lived on Staten Island. The 'Garibaldi Sandwich," however, is from Paisan's restaurant in Madison,…
Garlic Knots (Pizza Knots)
Garlic Knots (also called "pizza knots") are usually made in pizzerias with pizza dough, adding garlic and sometimes Parmesan cheese, oregano, and parsley. The dough is shaped into a…
Garment Center (Garment District; Fashion Center; Fashion District)
New York City has a Garment Center (also known as the Garment District, Fashion Center and Fashion District). The unofficially defined neighborhood is in Manhattan, between Fifth Avenue and Ninth…
Garrison Finish
A "Garrison finish" is a come-from-behind win at the last second. It was named, naturally enough, after a jockey named Edward H. "Snapper" Garrison (1868-1930). According to…
Gasoline Machine (Phillips 66 refinery in New York harbor)
The Bayway Refinery on New York harbor in Bayway, New Jersey, was built by Standard Oil in 1907-08 and is currently owned by Phillips 66. The refinery processes 238,000 barrels of gas per day and…
Gastrobar
The term "gastropub" was popularized in London in the early 1990s. A "gastrobar (or "gastro bar") is, essentially, the same thing as a "gastropub" -- a drinking…