Shut Happens (shut + shit happens)
"Shut happens" (shut + shit happens) is a popular sign on closed businesses. The sign has bee cited in print since at least 2006. In October 2013, "Shut Happens" was used to…
Shutdown Theater (Government Shutdown Theater)
"Shutdown theater" refers to the posturing that Democrats and Republicans make in blaming the other over a government shutdown. "Government Shutdown Theater" was cited in print…
Shutstorm (shutdown + shitstorm)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Other shutdown terms include "shut happens" and "shutdown theater." TwitterMatt Stevens@stevensUNDshutstorm is way better then lockout (live at…
Siberia (second-class restaurant seating)
Siberia is known as a cold, inhospitable place in Russia; political prisoners were sent to work camps in Siberia and never heard from again. "Siberia," in slang, is any such similar…
Sichuan Fire (pun on “set you on fire”)
Sichuan/Szechuan/Szechwan cuisine can be spicy. "Szechuan" can sound like "set you on." Many restaurants and restaurant dishes/sauces have been named…
Sicilian Pizza
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Sicilian pizzaSicilian pizza, also known as Sfincione (or Sfinciuni in Sicilian language) is a variety of pizza with ingredients sometimes incorporated into the…
Sick Man of Asia
The "Sick Man of Europe" originally described the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). Wikipedia: Sick man of AsiaThe phrase "sick man of Asia" or "sick man of East Asia"…
Sick Man of Europe
The "Sick Man of Asia" originally described China. Wikipedia: Sick man of Europe"Sick man of Europe" is a label given to a European country experiencing a time of economic…
Siegel-Cooper’s Statue of the Republic (Minnie Clark, model)
The Statue of the Republic, by sculptor Daniel Chester French (1850-1931) was the largest and most symbolic of the Chicago Columbian Exposition (World's Fair) of 1893, Irish-born Minnie Clark,…
Signing Statement
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Signing statementA signing statement is a written pronouncement issued by the President of the United States upon the signing of a bill into law. They are…
Silent Dining
The restaurant Eat, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, began "silent dining" in September 2013. Patrons were required to eat in silence. The term "silent dining" had been cited earlier,…
Silent Service (United States Postal Inspection Service or USPIS nickname)
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) remains little-known, even though it claims an origin back to 1772 and colonial Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin. The USPIS investigates all…
Silver, Wine, Art and Gold (SWAG backronym)
"Silver, Wine, Art and Gold" form the backronym (back-acronym) for the word "swag." SWAG (2011), a book by Joe Roseman, both coined and popularized the term. Roseman argues that…
Silverbug or Silver Bug (silver enthusiast)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksA Breed of Barren Metal; or, Currency and interest, a study of social and industrial problems,By J. W. Bennett Chicago, IL: C.H. Kerr & Co.1895Pg. 226:The…
Silverite
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)ˈsilverite, n.Etymology: < silver n. and adj. + -ite suffix1.Chiefly U.S.An advocate of a silver monetary standard.1886 Science 7 267 The…
Simon Says (Simple Simon Says)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Simon SaysSimon Says (or Simple Simon Says) is a children's game for three or more players. One player takes the role of "Simon" and issues…
Singapore Chili Crab Festival
The Singapore Chili Crab Festival began in 2004. http://www.tigerbeer.us/newyork/history.php#Sunday,August 6th, Tiger Beer is proud to present the 3rd Annual Tiger Beer Singapore Chili Crab…
Singerhorn (Singer Building)
The Singer Building (at Liberty Street and Broadway in Manhattan) was the tallest building in the world when the 45-story structure opened in 1909. The building was named after the Singer…
Singles Bar
New York City can probably take credit for the first "singles bars." in the mid-late 1960s, Friday's and Maxwell's Plum opened on the Upper East Side and were termed…
Sinistrosphere (left blogosphere)
"Sinistrosphere" (often misspelled "sinestrosphere") is the politically "left blogosphere." ("Sinistro-" is Latin for "left.") The term…