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…
Rightard (right + retard)
"Rightard" (right + retard) is an epithet used by some on the political left against the political right. "Rightard" has been cited in print since January 2003.…
Rightosphere (right blogosphere)
The "rightosphere" is the "right blogosphere," containing blogs of the political right. The term "rightosphere" has been in print since at least May 2005. A similar…
Rightroots
"Rightroots" (right + grassroots) is a word that was coined in August 2006 by the ABC PAC. "Rightroots" began as an effort by the political right to respond to the political…
Rigulator or Riggulator (rig/rigging + regulator)
"Rigulator" or "riggulator" (rig/rigging + regulator) is a term used by those who believe that government does more than regulate. The term "rigulator" has been…
RINO (Republican In Name Only)
A "RINO" is a "Republican In Name Only." The Republican party is symbolized by the elephant; RINO is symbolized by the rhino. A RINO is someone who is a registered Republican…
Rip-and-Read
"Rip-and-read" is news that is "ripped" off a teletype machine and "read" on the air; the term was first used in radio and then used in television.…
Rise In Power (RIP)
“Rise in power” is sometimes used instead of “rest in peace” (from Latin Requiescat in pace) to respect someone who has died. “Rest in power” has been used by the African American…
Rising Apple (New York Mets blog, 2011-present)
Rising Apple is a blog about the New York Mets baseball team that was started in 2011. It is part of the Fansided series of sports blogs. The name "Rising Apple" is from the New York…
Rising Apple (New York Mets blog)
Rising Apple is a blog about the New York Mets baseball team that was started in 2011. It is part of the Fansided series of sports blogs. The name "Rising Apple" is from the New York…
Ritualistic Shame Muzzle (face mask)
The 2020 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic resulted in face mask requirements. Some people who objected to the face masks called them "shame muzzles" and "ritualistic shame…