Jack (GAC=grilled American cheese); Jack Benny/Jack Back (grilled American cheese with bacon)
Diner lingo shortens a "grilled American cheese sandwich" to "GAC." The term "GAC" is pronounced and often written as "Jack." A "Jack" with bacon…
Jack Frost
"Jack Frost" is the personification of frost (or cold weather). The name was cited in the book Round about our Coal-Fire: or, Christmas Entertainments (1740): "This time of Year…
Jack Heights (Jackson Heights)
"Jack Heights" (meaning "Jackson Heights," in Queens) appeared on a billboard ad in 2007. The billboard mentioned that the area is much cheaper than "Billy Burg"…
Jack Rose (cocktail)
The Jack Rose is a cocktail containing applejack, grenadine, and lemon or lime juice. Some people have guessed that the name comes from applejack ("Jack") and Rose's lime juice…
Jackpot Fatigue
"Jackpot fatigue" is what many lottery players experience, causing them to play the lottery less and less. Jackpots must get larger and larger to stir the same amount of interest. A $25…
Jacobs Beach (West 49th Street and Eighth Avenue)
"Jacobs Beach" (or "Jacobs' Beach") was named after Mike Jacobs (1880-1953), New York City's leading boxing promoter from the mid-1930s until he retired in 1946.…
Jacques Penné or Jean Claude Penné or Jacques Pennay (JCPenney nickname)
JCPenney, a department store, was founded by James Cash Penney in 1902 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The faux French nickname of "Jacques Penné" (or Jacques Pennay) for "J. C. Penney"…
Jaikishan Heights (Jackson Heights)
Jackson, Heights, Queens, has been called "Little India" since at least 1985 for its many Indian businesses at 74th Street area (between Roosevelt Avenue and 37th Avenue). Jackson Heights…
Jail Bait (Jail-bait; Jailbait)
"Jailbait" (also written as "jail-bait" and "jail bait") is someone or something illegal (risking jail) that tempts (or "baits") someone. "Her name is…
Jamaican (inhabitant of Jamaica, Queens)
"Jamaican” is the name of an inhabitant of Jamaica, in the borough of Queens. The name “South Jamaican” (for South Jamaica, Queens) has been cited in print since at least 1980.…
James Cagney Love Scene
James ("Jimmy") Cagney (1899-1986) was a New York City-born actor who played tough guys on film. Cagney was honored with the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute in March…
Jamwich (jam + sandwich)
"Jamwich" is a word formed from the two words "jam" and "sandwich." In 2006, Pierre Foods trademarked the name "PB Jamwich" for its peanut butter and jelly…
JANFU (Joint Army Navy Foul-Up)
"JANFU" is a World War II term that means "Joint Army-Navy Foul Up." The actual term was probably "Joint Army-Navy Fuck Up." "Now some one has come up with JANFU,…
Japanese Horseradish (wasabi)
Horseradish is often compared to wasabi. Wasabi was called "Japanese horseradish" in 1903 by American botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild (1869-1954). "An Expert Describes…
Jargarita (jar + margarita)
A "Jargarita" or "jargarita" (jar + margarita) is a margarita drink served in a jar, such as a Mason jar. The advantage this has is that the drink can be made to a larger size…
Jassack (jackass)
"Jassack" (or "jass-ack") is a metathesis of the word "jackass." The word "jassack" was printed in the Marshall County Republican (Holly Springs, MS) on…
Jassack Band (Jackass Band; Jazzack)
"Jassack" (or "jass-ack") is a metathesis of the word "jackass." The word "jassack" has been cited in print since at least 1839. "Jassack" possibly…
JAVax (Javits Center used as a vaccination site; Javits + vax)
New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center was used in 2021 as a vaccination center against Covid. Some people called it "JAVax" or "Javax" (Javits Center + vax).…
Jawbreaker (sandwich)
A "jawbreaker" is a large Italian sandwich that's so big and so stuffed that it could break one's jaw to eat all of it. "Sunday night supper is an especially popular time…
Jaywalker (Jay Walker); Jaywalking (Jay Walking)
"Jay walking" (or "jaywalking") was first named and popularized in Kansas City, not New York. "Jay," according to the Historical Dictionary of American Slang, is…