Hell’s Kitchenette
"Hell's Kitchenette" is a neighborhood nickname spun off from the name Hell's Kitchen. The nickname could indicate a smaller Hell's Kitchen, encroached by development. The…
Hell’s Pantry
Hell's Pantry is a neighborhood name spin-off from Hell's Kitchen. Entertainment writer Earl Wilson (see citations below, from as early as 1951) claimed that "Hell's…
Hells Fargo or Hell’s Fargo (Wells Fargo nickname)
Wells Fargo bank was founded in New York City in 1852. Wells Fargo -- one of the Big Four banks in the United States with Bank of America, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase -- is now headquartered in…
Hellsea (Hell’s Kitchen + Chelsea)
Hellsea (or HellSea) is a Manhattan neighborhood nickname, blending Hell's Kitchen with Chelsea. "Hellsea" appears to have been coined by gay publications (2004 Go Guide and Out…
Hellyweird (hell + weird + Hollywood)
"Hellyweird" (hell +weird + Hollywood) is a portmanteau word for the city of Hollywood and its entertainment industry. The name “Hellywood” has been used by those who believe that…
Hellywood (hell + Hollywood)
"Hellywood" (hell + Hollywood) is a portmanteau word for the city of Hollywood and its entertainment industry. "Hellywood" has been printed on many images. The name…
Hen Coop (the women’s page) & the first advice column
"The Hen Coop" column began on July 20, 1898 in the New York Evening Journal. It was a women's page and the first women's "advice column," like an early "Dear…
Hen Fruit (eggs)
"Hen fruit" is a jocular way to say "eggs." "Hen fruit" has been cited in print since at least 1844; "henfruit" has been cited since 1864. "'Hen…
Herald Square and Times Square
"Herald Square" was named after the New York Herald newspaper in 1893. It is the area around West 34th Street. "Times Square" was named after the New York Times newspaper in…
Hero Ball (basketball style)
"Hero ball" occurs in basketball when one player decides to be the "hero" and take the crucial shot(s). "Hero ball" can work when that player is a superstar, but team…
Hero Sandwich
Hoagie, Sub, Grinder -- there are many regional sandwich names. New Yorkers have a "hero." The Italian sandwich -- before it was called a "hero" -- was popularized in the 1890s…
Heroin Highway (Eighth Avenue; Long Island Expressway)
A "heroin highway" is any street where heroin is either transported or sold. Hastings Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, was called a "heroin highway" in 1955. The U.S.…
Heroin Island (heroin + Staten Island)
The heroin epidemic on Staten Island made news in 2014 and 2015, creating the nicknames "Heroin's New Hometown" and "Heroin Island." "Heroin’s New Hometown: On…
Herroner (her honor)
"Herroner" ("her honor") is the feminine equivalent of "hizzoner" ("his honor"). While "hizzoner" dates back to 1880s Chicago, "herroner"…
Hide-and-Speak (electronic constituent communications)
"Hide-and-speak" (a pun on "hide-and-seek") is when a government official speaks to his or her constituents without a live and personal confrontation, such as what happens at a…
High Finance
"High finance" means financial transactions that involve large sums of money. The term "high finance" has been cited in print since at least 1858, but began to be used with…
High Five Friday
"High Five Friday" (or "High-five Friday") is a day to celebrate the week's accomplishments, such as by giving a person a "high five" hand gesture. "High…
High-rise
A "high-rise" is a tall building. "High-rise developments" (apartment buildings in public housing) was cited in December 1951 in a Chicago publication.…
High-Speed Swim Lane (HSSL or “hustle”)
Countrywide Financial was once a large mortgage lender; Countrywide failed during the financial crisis of 2008, when it was sold to Bank of America. The U.S. Department of Justice sued Bank of…
Highlanders (American League baseball team, later called Yankees)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Other early nicknames of the New York Yankees include "Hilltoppers," "Invaders" and "Porchclimbers." Joseph W. Gordon, president of the club…