Spooktacular (spook + spectacular)
"Spooktacular" (spook + spectacular) is a word that's popular at Halloween time. The first citation of the word is from "A Hallowe'en Party" by Laura Smith, published…
Spoonula (spoon + spatula)
A "spoonula" (spoon + spatula) is one of several food implement portmanteaus, such as the "spork" (spoon + fork). A "spoonula" trademark filed in 1959 claimed a first…
Spornosexual (sport + porno + sexual)
"Spornosexual" (sport + porno + sexual) was coined by English journalist Mark Simpson in The Telegraph (UK) on June 10, 2014, when he wrote: "This new wave puts the…
Sport of Kings (polo nickname)
Horse racing is often called the "sport of kings," a term cited in print since at least the 1700s. The game of polo has been called the "sports of kings" since at least 1896,…
Sports Cosplay (fans wearing sports jerseys)
Many sports fans wear a jersey of their favorite player. This has been called "jock cosplay" or "sports cosplay." "RT @bellawonder: Football fans who wear jerseys: sports…
Sportsmen’s Row (Eighth Avenue, Park Slope)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Daily Racing Forum11/11/2010 2:35PMThe golden era of Brooklyn racingBy Ryan Goldberg(...)On the edge of Gravesend, Avenue U became Trainers’ Row. The moneyed class, like…
Spox (spokesperson)
"Spox" is a popular headline shorthand for "spokesperson." The term "spox" was used in 1996 and then frequently in 2006 in the context of Israeli government…
Spring Black Friday
"Black Friday" is the Friday after Thanksgiving -- a major pre-Christmas shopping day. For home improvement stores such as The Home Depot and Lowe's, the beginning of the spring…
Spring Egg; Spring Egg Hunt/Roll (Easter Egg; Easter Egg Hunt/Roll)
Easter eggs (or spring eggs) are eggs used to celebrate the Easter/spring holiday. The eggs are often decorated and are used in egg-rolling (a race where children push the egg across grass using a…
Spring Forward, Fall Back
"Spring forward, fall back" is a ritual of Daylight Saving Time. The mnemonic "Spring forward, Fall back" was cited in The Spectator on May 2, 1931, and “Spring forward! Fall…
Spring Roll Street (Spring Street)
Spring Street runs throw Hudson Square, SoHo and Nolita. A New York (NY) Times article on April 11, 2013, stated "Spring Street, a major east-west artery that friends have nicknamed Spring…
Spring Sphere (Easter egg)
One Seattle, Washington, school supposedly told a student that she could make "spring spheres," but not "Easter eggs." (This April 2011 story has been disputed.) The…
Sprinkles (Jimmies)
New York is a "sprinkle" town. If you call them "jimmies," you're probably the type of person who roots for the Boston Red Sox. I found the earliest citation for…
Sprinter (spring + winter)
"Sprinter" (spring + winter) is a portmanteau word that has been printed on many images. "Sprummer" (spring + summer) is a related term. Wiktionary: sprinterEtymologyBlend of…
Sprite Airlines (Spirit Airlines nickname)
Spirit Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost carrier. Some people rearrange the letters a bit and call it "Sprite Airlines." "Ppl Never take Sprite airlines it the worst airline I…
Sprots (misspelling of “sports”)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google Groups: rec.video.satellite.tvroNeed new C-Band subscription, HELPPaul Dowgewicz 6/11/01(...) The problem I have with NPS is that you have to buy Fox Sprots…
Sprummer (spring + summer)
"Sprummer" (spring + summer) is a portmanteau word that has been printed on many images. "Sprinter" (spring + winter) is a related term. Wiktionary: sprummer EtymologyBlend of…
Spucky, Spuckie or Spukie (sandwich)
Entry in progress -- B.P. The long list of the names of sandwiches served on long rolls includes blimpie, bomber, Cuban (medianoche), Dagwood, garibaldi, gondola, grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian,…
Sputniks (Metropolitan Opera House chandeliers)
The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center has "starburst" chandeliers than many have called "Sputniks," after the Russian satellite. The chandeliers were a gift from the…
Square Meal
"Square meal" is a term that appears to have originated in California by 1856. It is sometimes claimed that "square meal" comes from England's Royal Navy (where meals were…