1963: John J. Fitz Gerald obituaries
John J. Fitz Gerald died during a newspaper strike in New York City. He never received proper credit for "the Big Apple." Much historical work on the Fitz Gerald family has been done by…
19th Hole (Nineteenth Hole)
A golf course usually has eighteen holes. THe "nineteenth hole" ("19th hole") is a jocular nickname for the clubhouse bar or restaurant, or a bar or a restaurant near the golf…
2 Dow Shay (two show day)
"Two dow shay" is a spoonerism for "two show day." Two shows a day is a business day in the theater, and the joke is that it's so exhausting that even the term can't…
20-20-20 Rule (for eyes)
The "20-20-20 rule" for relieving eye strain (often caused by extended computer use) is that after 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at objects at least 20 feet away. The…
3-6-3 Rule
The "3-6-3" rule or formula in banking meant that a bank gives 3% interest on accounts, charges 6% interest on loans, and the banker is to be found on the golf course by 3 p.m. The…
3-and-B (basketball player providing 3-point shooting and blocks)
A "3-and-D" basketball player provides three point shooting accuracy and defense. The term ""3-and-B" refers to a basketball player who provides three point shooting…
3-and-D (basketball player providing 3-point shooting and defense)
A "3-and-D" (or "three-and-D") basketball player is someone (usually a wing player, such as a small forward or a shooting guard) who can hit three-point shots and who can play…
311 (non-emergency call)
311 was introduced in 2003 to handle non-emergency calls and take the burden off 911. It helps callers to make New York City understandable. Too much noise in the neighborhood? Call 311. Fire? Call…
330 Ramp Capital
The blog Zero Hedge, on April 8, 2013, published "Invest In '3:30 PM Ramp Capital LP' For 26.6% Annualized Outperformance." The New York Stock Exchange closes at 4 p.m.; at 3:30…
5000 or M5 (dance move)
A "dip" dance move has also been called "Death drop" (or "Deathdrop"), "Shablam," "Shawam" (or "Shawham") and "5000." At the…
5GFlu (5G + flu)
During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many people questioned what the coronavirus was. They believed that the coronavirus was essentially the flu, plus the effects of 5G technology. The term…
911 (emergency call)
911 is dialed for emergency calls; 311 is for non-emergency calls. The 911 system was introduced in New York City -- and nationwide -- in 1968. In the 1967 phonebook, Fire was "OPERATOR"…
98 Nicknames
The largest selection of New York City nicknames (see the other entries in this Nicknames/Slogans category) can be found in Names and Sobriquets of U.S. Cities and States (second edition 1970) by…
A Crappy Test (“ACT” backronym)
The ACT (originally "American College Testing") is a test that helps students enter college. The ACT test has been given the backronymic (back acronym) nickname "Another Crappy…
A la Minute
À la minute is a French cooking term meaning "at a minute." Restaurants that prepare food à la minute prepare food when it is ordered, and often such foods are prepared in front of the…
ABC Rule (Anything But Cabernet; Anything But Chardonnay)
Chardonnay became so popular -- to the detriment of other wines -- that some people insisted on ordering "ABC," or "Anything But Chardonnay." "Anything But Cabernet"…
ABCNNBCBS (ABC + CNN + NBC + CBS)
"CNNBCBS (a division of ABC)" was featured on the "Lisa's Wedding" segment of the animated television sitcom The Simpsons, with the airdate March 19, 1995.…
Above-way (proposed monorail to complement subway)
John Catsimatidis was running in the Republican primary for New York City mayor in 2013 when he was asked about transportation options. Catsimatiidis came out in favor of a new monorail system,…
Absolutely Awful or Always Awful (American Airlines nickname)
American Airlines (AA) is a United States airline that was founded in 1930 as American Airways. The AA nickname of "Always Awful" has been cited in print since at least 1991 and…
Absolutely Pathetic (Associated Press or AP nickname)
The Associated Press (AP) is a news agency founded in 1846 and headquartered in New York City. The derogatory AP nickname of "Absolutely Pathetic" has been cited in print since at least…