Guardian Angels
Curtis Sliwa, a night manager at a McDonald's restaurant in the Bronx, founded the Guardian Angels in 1979. Some say that he did it to help make New York City safer, and others say he did it…
Gurgitator
A "gurgitator" is a competitive eater. Think Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest on July 4th. Those are gurgitators! "Gurgitator" was coined and/or popularized by George…
Hairbag (veteran police officer)
"Hairbag" (also "hair bag" and "hairbagger") is slang for a veteran police officer. The exact meaning of the slang term (cited in print since 1958) is unknown, but a…
Harlemite (inhabitant of Harlem)
"Harlemite” is the name of an inhabitant of Harlem, in the borough of Manhattan. The name “Harlemite” has been cited in print since at least 1864. Wikipedia: HarlemHarlem is a large…
Heeler (Tammany Hall politics)
The ward "heeler" was a feature of corrupt Tammany Hall politics in New York City in the 19th century. The political boss had you under his heel. This is not to be confused with a…
Hell’s Kitchener (inhabitant of Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan)
"Hell's Kitchener” is the name of an inhabitant of Hell's Kitchen, in the borough of Manhattan. The name “Hell's Kitchener” has been cited in print since at least 1899.…
Herb
"Herb" is the name of a weakling. Burger King ran a 1980s ad campaign featuring "Herb," and it's believed to have influenced use of the name. 26 December 1985, Washington…
Herroner (her honor)
"Herroner" ("her honor") is the feminine equivalent of "hizzoner" ("his honor"). While "hizzoner" dates back to 1880s Chicago, "herroner"…
Hispennial (Hispanic + millennial)
"Hispennial" (Hispanic + millennial) means a person born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s who speaks Spanish. The term was cited on Twitter on July 30, 2013.…
Hizzoner (his honor)
"Hizzoner" is simply "his honor," a term used for the mayor of New York City, although the term did not originate in New York. The first "hizzoner" citation in the New…
Hoboweryite (hobo + Boweryite)
The Bowery (both the name of a street and a neighborhood) in Manhattan was a depressed area for much of the 1900s. Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) called the place…
Homo Set
"Homo" (for "homosexual") is/was an LGBTQ nickname, and the term "homo set" was used for the community. "Two 'private' clubs packing in the homo set…
Hooker
This term is often, incorrectly, "credited" to Civil War General Joseph Hooker and the exploits of his men (1860s) in Washington, D.C. Not that Washington doesn't have hookers, but…
Howard Beacher (inhabitant of Howard Beach. Queens)
"Howard Beacher” is the name of an inhabitant of Howard Beach, in the borough of Queens. The name “Howard Beacher” has been cited in print since at least 1930. Wikipedia: Howard Beach,…
Instagirl (Instagram + girl)
"Instagirl" (Instagram + girl) is a female model who becomes famous through social media, especially selfie photos on Instagram. The cover of Vogue magazine in August 2014 used the term…
Inwoodite (inhabitant of Inwood, Manhattan)
"Inwoodite” is the name of an inhabitant of Inwood, in the borough of Manhattan. The name “Inwoodite” has been cited in print since at least 1929. Wikipedia: Inwood, ManhattanInwood is…
Jamaican (inhabitant of Jamaica, Queens)
"Jamaican” is the name of an inhabitant of Jamaica, in the borough of Queens. The name “South Jamaican” (for South Jamaica, Queens) has been cited in print since at least 1980.…
Jaywalker (Jay Walker); Jaywalking (Jay Walking)
"Jay walking" (or "jaywalking") was first named and popularized in Kansas City, not New York. "Jay," according to the Historical Dictionary of American Slang, is…
Jesus fucking Murphy (exclamation)
"Jesus Christ!" is an expletive interjection expressing anger, surprise or frustration. "Jesus Murphy!" is a variation of this that has been popularly used in Canada. “Jesus…
Jesus H. Murphy (exclamation)
"Jesus Christ!" is an expletive interjection expressing anger, surprise or frustration. "Jesus Murphy!" is a variation of this that has been popularly used in Canada. “Jesus…