Successful Fire (Jewish Lightning)
On June 5, 2000, NYU librarian George Thompson submitted this, on "successful fires" and "Jewish lightning," to the American Dialect Society list. I'll try to update it…
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“Ice Cream” (1995) (“Butter-Pecan Rican” lyric)
In "Ice cream" (1995) from the album Only built 4 Cuban linx, Raekwon (born Corey Woods; also known as The Chef, Rae, Lex Diamonds) described his favorite flavors. "One love to my…
East 62nd Street Lemon Cake
The "East 62d Street Lemon Cake" became famous from the 1970 New York Times article below. Maida Heatter included it in her cookbooks and credited her daughter, Toni Marks, with its…
“Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long” (1932)
"Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long" (1932) is probably most familiar to audiences from singer Barbra Streisand. Comedian/singer Joe E. Lewis earlier had popularized the song. 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…
Your safety matters to us
On the 14th Street Lexington line stop, a male voice was heard telling people to stay away from the end of the platform. "Your safety matters to us," the message ended. Then, a female…
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…
Whole Paycheck (Whole Foods nickname)
Whole Foods started its first store in Austin, Texas, in 1980. The food retailer is known for its organic foods -- and high prices. The nickname "Whole Paycheck" was applied by at least…
Robo-Train
The MTA has decided to try automated trains on an experimental basis, with the first one being the little-used L line for 2005. Critics have called it a "robo-train" (from…
Beducator (bed + educator)
Beducator = Bed + Educator. This word comes from the New York (NY) Post -- a newspaper that often runs sensational stories. 14 April 2005, New York (NY) Post, pp. 1-2:Second HS beducator exposedIt…
Papaya & Hot Dogs (“Tastier Than Filet Mignon”)
Papaya King started the Manhattan trend of hot dogs and papaya juice back in the 1930s. There have been many imitators. Gray's Papaya is very good, and a Papaya Dog recently opened on Sixth…
Creepers & Infiltrators (urban explorers)
"Creepers" or "infiltrators" are the names for people who like to go into abandoned buildings and subway tunnels and the like, without official authorization. It is not known…
Little Belgium
"Little Belgium" has grown up around 14th Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. The term was popularized by a New York Times article as recently as 1999.…
Wicked Hot Chocolate & Wicked Fun Bonbons
Jacques Torres was the pastry chef at Le Cirque. In December 2000, he opened a chocolate factory in Brooklyn, and in the fall of 2004 he opened another one at King Street and Hudson Street in…
Take-Out (not Take-Away)
Many countries has "take-away" shops, but New York City has "take-out." Who can forget those little boxes of "take-out" Chinese? It is either "take-out" or…
“OK” Sign (Ballantine Beer & Pizza Box Chef use)
The "OK" sign has a long use in food. Newark, New Jersey's Ballantine Beer symbol had three inter-connecting rings (purity, body, flavor). In October 1938, the "OK" sign…
“You’ve Tried the Rest, Now Try the Best”
"You've Tried the Rest, Now Try the Best" has been on pizza boxes for about forty or fifty years. The saying is over 100 years old. I found it first used by a New York City…
“Cheesecake” and “Beefcake” (photography)
"Cheesecake" photos are legs shots of pretty women. The term dates from the early 1930s. "Beefcake" photos are shots of handsome men. The term dates from 1949 and was applied to…
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…
Big M (summary)
The Meadowlands Race Track in East Rutherford, New Jersey opened in 1976. Aqueduct had long been known as "the Big A." "The Big A" had been coined in the 1950s in reflection of…