Pumpkin House (Hudson Heights, Manhattan)
The "Pumpkin House" is the 1920s 3,144-square-foot home at 16 Chittenden Avenue, above the Henry Hudson Parkway at 186th Street, in Manhattan's Washington Heights (or Hudson…
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North New York (South Bronx)
"North New York" is a 19th century name for what is now the South Bronx (Mott Haven and Port Morris). The Evening Post (New York, NY) stated on November 10, 1868: "Passing over the…
Chocha 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…
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…
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…
Confidence Man
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Confidence trickA confidence trick (synonyms include confidence game, confidence scheme, ripoff, scam and stratagem) is an attempt to defraud a person or group…
Maxxinista (T.J. Maxx + fashionista)
A "Maxxinista" (T.J. Maxx + fashionista) is someone who shops at the American department store chain T.J. Maxx. "Maxxinista" was trademarked by the company with a first use on…
“When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye”
"If life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is an old saying from the early 1900s. There have been many jocular variations. "When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye"…
“When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt”
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt" is a popular work saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was printed in an April 11, 1947 Richmond (VA)…
“No matter how fast your car is, you can’t outrun a police radio”
"No matter how fast your car is, you can't outrun a police radio" is a policing adage. A speeding criminal, for example, often is tempted to go faster and escape the police. The…
Front Page (East Flatbush, Brooklyn nickname)
"Front Page" is the nickname for the area of East Flatbush, Brooklyn at Foster Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, at the Vanderveer Estates apartment buildings. Crime was so bad that drug…
Back Page (East Flatbush, Brooklyn nickname)
"Front Page" is the nickname for the area of East Flatbush, Brooklyn at Foster Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, at the Vanderveer Estates apartment buildings. Crime was so bad that drug…
“I love hard work. I could watch it all day”
English author Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) wrote about work in Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) (1889): "It always seems to me that I am doing more work than I should do. It is…
Front Page (East Flatbush, Brooklyn)
"Front Page" is the nickname for the area of East Flatbush, Brooklyn at Foster Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, at the Vanderveer Estates apartment buildings. Crime was so bad that drug…
“What’s the Constitution among friends?”
New York Democratic politician Tim Campbell (1840-1904) served in the New York State senate in 1884 and 1885, and then served in Congress in 1886. A popular anecdote was reported in The Washington…
Back Page (East Flatbush, Brooklyn)
"Front Page" is the nickname for the area of East Flatbush, Brooklyn at Foster Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, at the Vanderveer Estates apartment buildings. Crime was so bad that drug…
CRAFT Disease or CRAFT Moment (Can’t Remember A Fucking Thing)
"CRAFT disease" or "CRAFT moment" is an acronym for "Can't Remember A Flaming/Flipping/Freaking/Frigging/Fucking Thing." A related problem is "CRS…
“Taking wealth from the air” (air rights)
American engineer William J. Wilgus (1865-1949) helped design New York City's Grand Central Terminal (opened rebuilt in 1913). He designed the railroad tracks to be placed under the ground,…
“Never judge presidential timber by its bark”
The New York City humor magazine Life published on June 28, 1923: "THE presidential candidates have started roaring. But you should never judge presidential timber by its bark."…
“Chicken pot pie—my three favorite things”
"Chicken pot pie -- my three favorite things" is a jocular line that has been printed on many images Chilean American stand-up comedian Pablo Francisco used the joke in his act by at…