Horse Opera
The "horse opera" was an early name for the western (in radio and on the movie screen), dating from at least 1923. The term "horse opera" had long been in use before that,…
Horseshit Beach (Orchard Beach)
Orchard Beach in the Bronx was opened by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the 1930s; it was so grand that it was called “the Riviera of New York"/"Bronx Riviera." The beach soon…
Kentucky: Red Horse (nickname)
A person from Kentucky was called a "Red Horse" in the 19th century. The red-tail sucker, a fish that was also called "red horse," was common in the Ohio River. "The…
Mrs. Astor’s Pet Horse (Mrs. Astor’s Plush Horse)
Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (1830-1908) held at annual fancy dress ball at 842 Fifth Avenue. Her husband, William Backhouse Astor Jr. (1829-1892) was a racehorse breeder/owner. The term "Mrs.…
Mrs. Astor’s Plush Horse (Mrs. Astor’s Pet Horse)
Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (1830-1908) held at annual fancy dress ball at 842 Fifth Avenue. Her husband, William Backhouse Astor Jr. (1829-1892) was a racehorse breeder/owner. The term "Mrs.…
Pet Cat (underrated football player)
NFL football coach Bill Parcells was fond of cats. Parcells would pick out an under-appreciated football player and call him his "pet cat." Parcells was coach of the Dallas Cowboys from…
Puppy Dog Close (sales technique)
The "puppy dog close" is a popular sales technique that originated with pet store owners. A customer is told that he or she can take the puppy home for a few days to try it out. After the…
Saratoga: “Health, History, Horses” (slogan)
"WELCOME TO SARATOGA SPRINGS -- HEALTH HISTORY HORSES" is what greets people on several signs in Saratoga Springs, New York. "Health" refers to the springs and spas of the city.…
Saratoga: “Pearly gates of horse racing” (Saratoga Race Course)
New York State's Saratoga Race Course has been compared to heaven and is sometimes called the "pearly gates of horse racing." "Home sweet Saratoga. RT @anthonyderico: The Pearly…
Texas House (Breezeway; Dog-Run House; Dogtrot House; Possum Trot House; Saddlebag House)
A "Texas house" (also called a "breezeway" or "dog-run house" or "dogtrot house" or "possum trot house" or "saddlebag house") is when two…
Top Dog (a boss or leader)
The term "top dog" means to be the boss (or leader), or to be victorious. The term "top dog in the fight" was cited frequently in the early 1860s. "Whether he's top…
Violets, Bobcats (NYU teams)
NYU has a sports symbol from...a library catalog? http://www.nyu.edu/athletics/clubs/mascots/history.htmlHistory of the BobcatFor more than 100 years, New York University athletes have worn the…
Wildcat Bank (Wildcat Money)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wildcat banking refers to the unusual practices of banks chartered under state law during the periods of non-federally regulated state banking between 1816 and 1863 in the…
Yellow Dog or Yellow Dawg or Yaller Dawg (gold nickname)
Gold is sometimes nicknamed "yellow dog" or "yellow dawg" or "yaller dawg." "Not bad considering everyone was slamming the yellow dawg" was cited in print in…