Salt Water Taffy

"Salt water taffy" supposedly originated by accident in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1883. Salt water taffy was served at other seaside places (such as Coney Island), but it remains an…

Salugi (or Saloogie)

"Salugi" (or "saluggi" or "saloogie") was a New York children's game of "keep away" that was popular in the 1950s. The origin of the name is unknown.…

Sam ‘n’ Ella (salmonella)

Salmonella (bacteria) has nothing to do with salmon (a fish) or anyone named Ella, but there are jokes. "I heard that Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr. are buying out the Jewel Food Store…

Sam and Ella (salmonella)

Salmonella (bacteria) has nothing to do with salmon (a fish) or anyone named Ella, but there are jokes. "I heard that Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr. are buying out the Jewel Food Store…

Sam Hill

Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Sam Hill (euphemism)Sam Hill is an American English slang phrase, a euphemism for "the devil" or "hell" personified (as in, "What in…

Sam Ward (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…

Santa Claus & Sidewalk Santas

What would Christmas be without New York City? "A Visit From St. Nicholas," also known from its first line of "'Twas the night before Christmas," was published in 1822. It…

Santa Claus Curse (New York Mets)

The New York Mets hold an annual Christmas party for New York City schoolchildren. The "Santa Claus curse" holds that the Mets player who dresses up as Santa Claus the following year…

Satan’s Circus

Another name for the "Tenderloin" area of Manhattan, just below "Hell's Kitchen," is "Satan's Circus." The term is historical and is not used today, but…

Satan’s Seat

New York City has sometimes been called "Satan's Seat." "The late sensation in New York (where Satan's seat is) has roused us to a fresh conception of his terrific reign…

Saturday Night Special

A "Saturday night special" (or "blitzkrieg") is a surprise takeover attempt. In 1975, Colt Industries (manufacturer of guns) attempted what would be a successful takeover of…