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…
Jazz Brunch
A "jazz brunch" is a brunch (a breakfast/lunch meal usually served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) that includes jazz music. Commander's Palace made the jazz brunch a tradition in New…
JCPenneystock (JCPenney nickname)
JCPenney, a department store, was founded by James Cash Penney in 1902 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The company experienced financial difficulties in 2013 and was nicknamed "JCPenneystock"…
JD (chocolate milk)
"J. D." was soda jerk slang for a chocolate milk. The "J. D." comes from American industrialist John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), who was said to have liked to drink chocolate…
Jefftown (Jefferson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn)
"Jefftown" (for the Jefferson Avenue area of Bushwick, Brooklyn) was coined by Royal Chase and trademarked by him with a first use on August 22, 2012. The name "Jefftown" was…
Jelly Bean
The origin of the "jelly bean" (a small bean-shaped sugar candy) is unknown. "Jelly beans" was cited in the Dallas (TX) Morning News on November 21, 1885, and in the Fort Worth…
Jenga Building (56 Leonard Street)
The Swiss architecture firm of Herzog & de Meuron designed a building for 56 Leonard Street in Manhattan that looked like imperfectly stacked blocks. Curbed NY's Septembe 15, 2008 story…
Jerkocrat (jerk + bureaucrat/Democrat)
"Jerkocrat" (jerk + bureaucrat/Democrat) is an infrequently used political epithet, Both uppercase "Jerkocrat" and lowercase "jerkocrat" have been used, with the…
Jersey Breakfast or Triple Bypass (Taylor Pork Roll, Egg & Cheese)
John Taylor (1836-1909), of Trenton, New Jersey, formed the Taylor Provision Company in 1888, although it's often given that the famous 'Taylor ham" was first made in 1856. The name…
Jersey Italian Gravy
Pasta sauce is sometimes called "gravy." "Jersey Italian Gravy" is a commercial product that was trademarked with a date of first use of August 10, 2011. The founders of the…
Jersey Lightning
"Jersey lightning" is a slang name for strong applejack (originally a product of New Jersey). New Jersey has been known for its applejack since at least the 1700s. The term "Jersey…
Jersey Lightning (cocktail; punch)
"Jersey lightning" is applejack; a "Jersey Lightning Cocktail" is applejack brandy and vermouth. "Jersey lightning" has been cited in print since at least 1843 and the…
Jesus Chicken (Chick-fil-A nickname)
Chick-fil-A is a fast food chain restaurant that specializes in chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets and chicken strips. The founders of the company have Christian beliefs and the restaurants are…
Jesus fucking Murphy (exclamation)
"Jesus Christ!" is an expletive interjection expressing anger, surprise or frustration. "Jesus Murphy!" is a variation of this that has been popularly used in Canada. “Jesus…