Soda Jerk (Soda Jerker)
A "soda jerk" (or "soda jerker") is a person employed behind a soda fountain, "jerking" the fountain spigot to make a soda or an ice cream soda or other such drinks.…
Soupervisor (soup + supervisor)
"Soupervisor" (soup + supervisor) is a portmanteau that has been used since at least the 1960s. The poem 'THE SOUPervisor" was printed in the Fort Lauderdale (FL) News on July…
Spaghetteria (restaurant serving spaghetti)
A "spaghetteria" is an eating establishment that serves spaghetti. The term might have started in New York City. The New York (NY) Evening Post stated in 1928: "The cafeteria started…
Speakeasy (Speak-easy)
The "speakeasy" (also written as "speak-easy" and "speak easy") began in the United States in 1889 in Pennsylvania and referred to an unlicensed saloon. The customers…
Spice Mecca (Kalustyan’s nickname)
Kalustyan’s, located at 123 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, opened in 1944 and has specialized in Indian and Middle Eastern spices and foods. The store was called the "spice mecca in…
St. Arbucks (“Starbucks” joke)
Starbucks is a popular chain of coffeehouses. It's sometimes joked that the patron saint of coffee is "St. Arbucks." A "St. Arbucks" has been shown on images and was posted…
Starbuckese or Starbucksese (language of Starbucks)
"Starbuckese" (or the less-frequently used "Starbucksese") is the language used by the coffeehouse chain Starbucks. "Starbuck-ese" has been cited in print since at…
Starbugs (Starbucks nickname)
Starbucks Coffee Company is a coffeehouse chain that began in Seattle, Washington in 1971. There are many Starbucks outlets in New York City, especially in Manhattan. The Starbucks nickname of…
Starfucks (Starbucks nickname)
Starbucks Coffee Company is a coffeehouse chain that began in Seattle, Washington in 1971. There are many Starbucks outlets in New York City, especially in Manhattan. The Starbucks nickname of…
Steak Row (East 45th Street)
"Steak Row" used to be East 45th Street, from Lexington to First Avenue. The defunct Pen and Pencil Restaurant helped to give it that name. However, it is not correct to say that…
Steakery (steak + eatery)
A "steakery" is an "eatery" that serves "steak." The term "steakery" dates to at least 1932. The franchise Charley's Grilled Subs was originally called…
Steakhouse Index
A "steakhouse index" gauges the health of an economy by the health of its steakhouses. If an economy is doing well, businesses entertain clients at steakhouses; if an economy is doing…
Stinkberry (Pinkberry nickname)
Pinkberry frozen yogurt began in California in 2005, but quickly opened over a dozen shops in New York City. Fans of the frozen yogurt product claim that it's addictive and have called it…
Streatery (street + eatery)
A "streatery" or "streetery" (street + eatery) is a term similar to "parklet." A street parking space is taken over for dining, or the entire street could be closed to…
Streetery (street + eatery)
A "streatery" or "streetery" (street + eatery) is a term similar to "parklet." A street parking space is taken over for dining, or the entire street could be closed to…
Supper Club
The "supper club" started in London and became popular in the second half of the 19th century. A "supper club" is a "night club," with food, music and dancing. An 1898…
Sweet Water Chemist (soda jerk)
"Sweet water chemist" (or "sweet-water chemist") is a fancy name for a "soda jerk(er)." The name became popular when many soda fountains were located in drugstores.…
Synagogue Twins (fried ham and eggs)
Jewish law does not permit eating pork. This fact found its way into restaurant slang, where “synagogue twins” became the slang for an order of fried ham and eggs. "'Synagogue…
Taco Hell (Taco Bell nickname)
Taco Bell fast food restaurants have been nicknamed "Taco Hell" since at least the 1980s. The nickname comes from the inexpensive ingredients used to make the food (the opposite of food…
Taco Smell (Taco Bell nickname)
Taco Bell fast food restaurants have been nicknamed "Taco Smell" since at least 1990. The nickname, perhaps, comes from the inexpensive ingredients used to make the food, providing the…