Hamburger (a full etymology)
New York City's German immigrants helped to introduce "Hamburger steak" (later simply "hamburger") to America. Wikipedia: HamburgerAlthough Hamburg, Germany is credited for…
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Sis-boom-bah (skyrocket cheer)
"Sis-boom-bah" is the sound of a skyrocket and quickly became a football cheer at Princeton University. Did it begin with New York's Seventh Regiment? The following is a post by Ben…
Goo Goo (Good Government)
"Goo Goo" is what a baby says. It also stands for "good government," from 1894-95. 28 November 1894, Washington Post, pg. 4:The New York Times complains because Mr. Morton has…
Automat (or, Automated Restaurant)
The "Automat" is a German invention from 1896, originally called the "automated restaurant." Horn & Hardart opened the first American "Automat" in Philadelphia in…
Double-Decker
Maybe the tour guides in those double-decker buses will kindly tell this to our tour visitors? (Oxford English Dictionary)double decker(...)b. 'A street-car having a second floor and seats on…
“Now That’s HIP” (Health Insurance Plan of Greater NY)
HIP is the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York. HIP is national, but it began in New York City. "Now That's HIP" is a slogan from 2002.…
“Mainhattan” (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
Frankfurt am Main (the Germany city of Frankfurt, on the river Main) has called itself "Bankfurt" (Bank + Frankfurt) and "Mainhattan" (Main + Manhattan). There are many banks…
“White Shoe” Firm
New York has its "white shoe" firms. This old term (anyone wear white shoes anymore?) probably comes from Yale University. (Oxford English Dictionary)white-shoe slang (chiefly U.S.),…
Kosherfest
The annual Kosherfest has been held at the Javits Center, displaying kosher products. It hasn't always been held in New York City, but it seems to have settled in at the Javits Center.…
Hudson Heights
"Hudson Heights" is not to be confused with "Hudson Square." It's located near Washington Heights in northern Manhattan. "Longhill" is an older name for the area.…
Hudson Square
"Hudson Square" is a new name and should not be confused with "Hudson Heights." Hudson Square is located near SoHo. 18 April 1982, New York Times, pg. AS19:HUDSON SQUAREAN…
Pipe Layer
"Pipe layer" was a term popularly used in the election of 1840 (and probably before) for an illegal voter. The term possibly came from New York City in the 1830s. "Pipe layer"…
“The Sturgeon King” (Barney Greengrass)
Barney Greengrass "The Sturgeon King" has been an institution at 541 Amsterdam Avenue (86th Street), since 1908. https://www.barneygreengrass.com/welcome.phpAbout Barney Greengrass Some…
“New York is Zabar’s, Zabar’s is New York” (Zabar’s)
Zabar's is the food emporium fixture at 2245 Broadway, at 80th Street. Whole Foods and Fairway and other competitors have lessened the Zabar's market in New York, but "New York is…
“Who ordered the clean glass?” (Myron Cohen joke about Stage Deli)
"Who ordered the clean glass?" is a classic restaurant joke of the late Bronx-born comedian Myron Cohen. It's said to have started at the Stage Deli (Seventh Avenue in the West 50s).…
Big Durian (summary)
"Big Durian" is sometimes said to be the nickname of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However, it doesn't show up in most newspaper databases until the 2003 film, The Big Durian. Wikipedia:…
Go West, Young Man
"Go West, young man" is associated with New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley (1811-1872). The Tribune, unlike the New York
“Jeet jet?” / “No, jew?”
"Jeet jet?" is New Yorkese for "Did you eat yet?" An appropriate response might be "No, jew?" (No, did you?) Rhode Island and other places claim "Jeet jet?"…
“From Nine to Five”
From "9 a.m. to 5 p.m." is the familiar time for work. "9 to 5" was also the title of a popular song and film (1980) of Dolly Parton. "From Nine to Five" was the title…
Joe Doakes
"Joe Doakes" is a name for an anonymous person, like "John Doe" or "John Q. Citizen." "Joe Doakes" supposedly is a circus name that originated with P. T.…