Returnship (return + internship)
A "returnship" (return + internship) is a program designed to bring talented people back to the workplace after a break. The program was designed especially for women who take a pregnancy…
Reuben Sandwich (and Rachel Sandwich, Celebrity Sandwiches)
Arnold Reuben (1883-1970) began his restaurant in the 1910s and it became famous for its celebrity-named sandwiches, a tradition continued by the Stage Deli and Carnegie Deli and others. Reuben…
Revenue Enhancement (“tax increase” euphemism)
Entry in progress -- B.P. ,a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/01/us/lexicon.html">New York (NY) TimesLexiconBy Marjorie HunterPublished: July 1, 1983The ways of Washington, says…
Reverse Escorting
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the responsibility to enforce immigration and…
Reverse Mortgage
A reverse mortgage is a mechanism available to seniors allowing them to stay in their homes, but to withdraw the equity in the home; it is also called a reverse annuity mortgage (RAM). The term…
Reverse Showrooming
"Showrooming" occurs when someone browses a brick and mortar "showroom" store for a product (such as a book or electronics), but then buys it online (where it can often be…
Reverse Town Hall Meeting
A "town hall meeting" (often shortened to "town hall") is when a public official answers questions directly from the public. A "reverse town hall meeting" (or…
Revocouption (revolution + coup)
On July 3, 2013, the Egypitan military removed the country's elected president and suspended the Egyptian constitution. An article in the Washington (DC) Post was titled "Is what happened…
Revolving Door
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Revolving door (politics)The revolving door is the movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the…
Revusical (revue + musical)
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)revusical, adj. and n.Origin: Formed within English, by blending. Etymons: revue n., musical adj.Etymology: Blend of revue n. and musical adj.,…
Rhubarb (a heated dispute)
The term "rhubarb" (meaning a heated dispute) is sometimes said to have started in 1938 or 1939, when a Brooklyn Dodgers fan shot and killed a New York Giants fan in an argument. New York…
Rhythm And Poetry (“rap” backronym)
Entry in progress -- B.P. TwitterMateo Amarei 強 愛 音楽Verified account@MateoAmarei@djdnice Hell I agree with you, D. RAP means rhythm and poetry...but lately the poetry has been lacking.…
Rialto (14th Street theater district, pre-Broadway)
"The Rialto" was the 14th Street theatre district. The theatre district has long since moved uptown, and "the Rialto" is no longer used. The term was extremely popular in the…
Rib-Off
A "rib-off" (not a "rip-off," and having nothing to do with "Adam's rib") is also called a "rib cook-off." It's a cooking contest where ribs and…
Rich Boy (sandwich)
New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for its "poor boy" ("po' boy") sandwich. However, at about the same time as the birth of the "po' boy," Martin J. Cull…
Richistan (a place where rich people live)
"Richistan" ("rich" with a "-stan" suffix) is a place where rich people live. The term was popularized by Wall Street Journal writer Robert Frank in his book,…
Richmond County Fair
The annual Richmond County (Staten Island) Fair began in 1979 and has a little bit of everything. The event benefits the Staten Island Historical Society and Historic Richmond Town. Historic…
Rickey (Gin Rickey; Lime Rickey)
The "rickey" drink is named after Colonel Joe Rickey of Missouri (who died in New York City in 1903). The drink was first mixed by George Williamson at Shoomaker's in Washington,…
Ridgite (inhabitant of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)
"Ridgite” is the name of an inhabitant of Bay Ridge, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Ridgite” has been cited in print since at least 1893. The full name of "Bay Ridgite"…
Riding Club (cocktail)
Entry in progress -- B.P. 21 May 1893, Cleveland (OH) Plain Dealer, pg. 17, col. 2:THE MANHATTAN.The Greatest of American Democratic Clubs.The Manhattan club at Fifth avenue and Thirty-fourth…