New York’s Strongest (sanitation workers)
The departments of New York City have several famous superlative nicknames: FINEST—Police Department (NYPD)BRAVEST—Fire Department (FDNY)STRONGEST—Sanitation Department…
New Yorker (inhabitant of New York)
George Washington (1732-1799) is often -- incorrectly -- given credit for coining "New Yorker": "Although Washington lived in New York only briefly, the earliest known use of the…
Newsie (newspaper seller)
Many children living in cities in the 1800s sold newspapers and shined shoes; they were called "newsies" and "shiners." The term "newsboy" -- they were almost…
Niggerati or Niggeratti (nigger + literati)
"Niggerati" or "niggeratti" (nigger + literati) is a term of the Harlem Renaissance to describe Harlem's writers, artists and musicians. The term was popularized by…
Night-soil Man (Night-soil Collector; Night Soiler)
Entry in progress -- B.P. (Oxford English Dictionary)night-soil collector n.1853 Hull Packet & E. Riding Times 10 June 8/2 The night-soil collectors..had taken a piece of ground on the opposite…
Nodel (not a model)
A "nodel" is someone who is "not a professional model," but models anyway. A nodel might be a friend or family member of a designer, a local celebrity, a person of certain…
Nolitan (inhabitant of Nolita, Manhattan)
"Nolitan” is the name of an inhabitant of Nolita, in the borough of Manhattan. The name “Nolitan” has been cited in print since at least 2008. \Wikipedia: NolitaNolita, sometimes written…
Nuyorican
"Nuyorican" means New York Puerto Rican.I couldn't easily beat these latest citations, from the revised Oxford English Dictionary. Neorican, n. and a.orig. and chiefly U.S. [<…
Occupier (Occupy Wall Street participant)
The Occupy Wall Street movement began on September 17, 2011 with protests at New York City's Zuccotti Park. Other cities throughout the world began their own "Occupy" movements. The…
Ozone Parker (inhabitant of Ozone Park, Queens)
"Ozone Parker” is the name of an inhabitant of Ozone Park, in the borough of Queens. The name “Ozone Parker” has been cited in print since at least 1897. Wikipedia: Ozone Park,…
Pansy
The term "pansy" (an effeminate man) was popularized in the 1920s by New York City-born actor, comedian, singer, vaudevillian, and pianist Jimmy Durante (1893-1980). The Durante routine…
Paralegal
The "paralegal" (or "para-legal") is not a lawyer, but helps lawyers as a "para-professional." The term began use in the 1960s. The New York Law Journal is not…
Park Avenuer (wealthy/snobby person who lives on Park Avenue)
A person who lives on Park Avenue -- a street known for its wealthy residences -- is a "Park Avenuer" or "Park Avenoor." The term "Park Avenoor" was popularized by…
Park Bench Statesman (Park Bench Philosopher)
Bernard Mannes Baruch (1870-1965) was an American financier, statesman and philosopher who advised U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Baruch like to walk along…
Park Rowgue (Park Row + rogue)
Park Row in Manhattan is just across from City Hall. In the late 19th century, so many newspapers located in Park Row that it was dubbed "Newspaper Row." Newspaper entertainment columnist…
Parkie/Parky
A Parks Department employee. It's either "Parkie" or "Parky." It was used more in the past than it is today. American Speech, vol. 16, no. 3, October 1941, pg. 188:PARK AND…
Patrolio (NY Fire Patrol)
"Patrolio" is a person in the New York Fire Patrol. The Fire Patrol dates to the early 1800s, but discussions were held in 2006 to disband the organization.…
Pearl (Parks Department squirrel mascot)
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation introduced "Pearl" (a cartoon squirrel) as its mascot in an April 2010 event. There was a contest, but the Parks Department went…
Pedestrian Manager
A "pedestrian manager" might also be called a "crossing guard." Sam Schwartz Engineering (Sam Schwartz was an assistant commissioner of transportation who helped popularize the…
Peter Funk
A "Peter Funk" was a dishonest salesman or auctioneer. The term is not used today. It was a common term in the 1830s and 1840s and appears to have originated on Pearl Street. Cassell…