“Why am I the only person naked at this gender reveal party?”
At a "gender reveal party," the sex of a baby is revealed. The sex of someone attending the party isn't revealed, but there are jokes. "Why am I the only naked person at this…
“You know you’re getting older when it feels like the morning after, but there was no night before”
"You know you’re getting older when it feels like the morning after, but there was no night before" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "A SURVEY TO ESTABLISH…
(Gate) Crasher
New Yorkers love something for nothing. (Historical Dictionary of American Slang, A-G)gate-crasher n. a forward or undesirable person who attends or enters a sporting event, social function, or…
Alibi Ike
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: Alibi IkeEtymologyFrom the principal character in "Alibi Ike" (1915), a short story by Ring Lardner Sr., and a subsequent film (1935) of the same…
Ambulance Chaser
"Ambulance chaser" is another derogatory term for a lawyer (see also the 1840s term"shyster"). An "ambulance chaser" preys on accident victims to sign them up to…
Astorian (inhabitant of Astoria, Queens)
"Astorian” is the name of an inhabitant of Astoria, in the borough of Queens. The name “Astorian” has been cited in print since at least 1876. The city of Astoria, Oregon, was also named…
B-Boy or B-Girl (Bronx Boy/Girl or Break Boy/Girl)
"B-Boy" or "B-Girl" (also "Bronx boy/girl" or "break boy/girl") are breakdancing terms from the 1980s Bronx. They are still used today. (Oxford English…
Bag Lady
Lily Tomlin got the character of the "bag lady" exactly right. Her performance should be available on video somewhere. The Historical Dictionary of American Slang has: "Orig. N.Y.C.…
Balloon Wrangler
Horse wranglers take care of horses and are, perhaps, the most famous of all "wranglers." Balloon wranglers take care of balloons. At the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, balloon…
Bay Ridger (inhabitant of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)
"Bay Ridger” is the name of an inhabitant of Bay Ridge, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Bay Ridger” has been cited in print since at least 1879. An inhabitant of Bay Ridge is also…
Baysider (inhabitant of Bayside, Queens)
"Baysider" is the name of an inhabitant of Bayside, in the borough of Queens. The name "Baysider" has been cited in print since at least 1911. The Baysider is also the name of a…
BBQ people (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens)
"BBQ people" is rarely used, but it comes from the same time period (1970s) as "bridge and tunnel" people. Perhaps it will be revived, now that there is genuine "Big Apple…
Beau Belmont
The New York (NY) Morning Telegraph newspaper had a long-running Broadway gossip column (1908-1972) called "The Town in Review" that was written by many people under the name of…
Beau Broadway (Bo Broadway)
The New York (NY) Morning Telegraph column written by "Beau Broadway" was Broadway's first and longest-running gossip column, from 1908 until the newspaper ended publication in 1972.…
Beautiful People
"Beautiful People" was a popular term in the 1960s. It's said to have started in Vogue magazine. (Oxford English Dictionary)beautiful people orig. U.S. (occas. written with capital…
Beep (Borough President)
"Beep" means Borough President; there are five, or one for each borough. The term is a take-off on "Veep" (Vice President) and, probably, that popular World War II vehicle, the…
Benny (Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, New York acronym?)
A visitor to the New Jersey shore is called a "benny." This may come from the "benefit" of New Jersey's shore in the summer. It may also come from the "benjamins"…
Bensonhurster (inhabitant of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn)
"Bensonhurster" is the name of an inhabitant of Bensonhurst, in the borough of Brooklyn. "Bensonhursters" was cited in the Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle in 1893. Wikipedia:…
BIC (Bronx Irish Catholic)
BIC is a ballpoint pen that was introduced in 1950. In the 1950s and 1960s, "B.I.C." (usually pronounced as letters and not a word) stood for "Bronx Irish Catholic."…
Bicycle Messenger
Bicycle messengers used to be more numerous than they are today. Blame the cell phone and the internet. It appears that this did not originate in New York City. (Oxford English Dictionary)bicycle…