Wedge Issue
A "wedge issue" is a controversial issue that creates a "wedge" between certain voters. A 19th century wedge issue was slavery; a 20th century wedge issue was abortion.…
Wedge Sandwich
A regional sandwich name in Westchester (Yonkers) for the hero/sub/hoagie is "wedge." "According to some people, a wedge sandwich is a loaf of bread, sliced in two and filled with…
Wedgie (sandwich)
"Wedgies" are a creation of Fox Pizza Den, a franchise based in Murraysville, PA. "Wedgie" is cited in print since at least 1983; Fox's Pizza Den describes it as "a…
Weed Candy
"Weed candy" is candy that is made with marijuana as an ingredient. The candy is often packaged to look like brand name candy, with just slightly different names. California police gave…
Wefense (we + defense/offense)
"Wefense" (we + defense/offense) was popularized by Rich Bisaccia, the special teams coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002 to 2010. Special teams is neither offense nor defense and…
Wegmaniac (Wegmans + maniac)
Wegmans Food Markets have lots of fans, called "Wegmaniacs" (Wegmans + maniac). The term is most frequently used at the opening of new Wegmans stores, although the company has stated that…
Welfare Wednesday (Food Stamp Friday)
"Welfare Wednesday" describes the Wednesday of a month when welfare checks are sent out. The term is mostly used in Canada (especially in the city of Vancouver), but has also been used in…
Welfare-Warfare State (Warfare-Welfare State)
Entry in progress -- B.P. OCLC WorldCat recordThe new left; a collection of essays.Author: Priscilla LongPublisher: Boston, P. Sargent [1969]Series: Extending horizons booksEdition/Format: Book :…
Welfargee (welfare + refugee)
"Welfargee" (welfare + refugee) describes someone who comes from a third world country to a more developed country and lives off its welfare. "Welfargee" was cited in print in…
Welfarian (someone on welfare)
A "Welfarian" (or "welfarian") is a welfare recipient. "Welfarian" has been cited in print since at least 1978. The term "Welfarian" a high-sounding name…
Well Drink
A "well drink" means any house liquor that is conveniently located in a bartender's well. A call drink is where a customer requests a brand name for his or her drink. Well drinks are…
Wells Fargone (Wells Fargo nickname)
Wells Fargo bank was founded in New York City in 1852. Wells Fargo -- one of the Big Four banks in the United States with Bank of America, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase -- is now headquartered in…
Wells Fiasco (Wells Fargo nickname)
Wells Fargo bank was founded in New York City in 1852. Wells Fargo -- one of the Big Four banks in the United States with Bank of America, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase -- is now headquartered in…
West Broadway (pork and beans nickname)
"West Broadway" is a 19th century restaurant slang term for "pork and beans." The New York City slang was cited in print in 1874, but was seldom used by 1900. "Stars and…
West Sider or Westsider
A "West Sider" (or "Westsider," also lowercase "west sider" and "westsider") is someone who inhabits the west side of a geographical area.…
Western Wasabi (horseradish)
Horseradish is often compared to wasabi. Wasabi was called "Japanese horseradish" in 1903 by American botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild (1869-1954). "An Expert Describes…
Westoria (west + Astoria)
"Westoria" (west + Astoria) is a name coined in 2017 for west Astoria, Queens -- also called "Old Astoria" or "Old Astoria Village" -- in the area west of 21st Street,…
Westside Manhattan (cocktail)
The Westside Manhattan is a new name for the classic Manhattan cocktail. Included are whiskey and vermouth -- Irish whiskey, as this drink is popular on St. Patrick's Day. Angostura bitters…
Whac-A-Mole Season
The end of the session in Albany -- when the state budget is being approved -- is sometimes known as the "Whac-A-Mole" season. Special interest legislation pops up, to be passed through…
Whack Ass Queens or Whack Ass Queenz (Queens)
"Crack is Wack" is a famous Manhattan mural that was painted by Keith Haring (1958-1990) in 1986. "Wack" or "whack" comes from "wack" or "whacky,"…