California of Texas (Clyde nickname)
The city of Clyde (Callahan County) promoted itself as the "California of Texas" in 1926-1927; the city nickname even appeared on a water tower. Clyde -- like California -- grows many…
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Hechsher
A "hechsher" (also sometimes spelled "hechscher," but seldom "hecksher") is a certification marking on products (usually foods, but also kitchen cleansers, soaps and…
“An apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze”
"An apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze" is cited in print from at least 1882. Both Yorkshire (where apple pie with cheese is a traditional dessert) and Sussex…
Smokra (okra with smoked paprika brine)
In 2006, Rick Fields (founder of "Rick's Picks" pickles) introduced "Smokra" -- pickled okra with smoked paprika brine. The new product quickly became a favorite and has…
City of a Thousand Mounds (Austin nickname)
Early visitors to Austin compared the city's geography to Rome. George W, Bonnell moved to Austin in 1836; Mount Bonnell is named after him. In 1840, Bonnell wrote: "Like the ancient city…
Pareve (Parve)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Epicurious.com: Food Dictionarypareve; parve[PAHR-uh-vuh, PAHR-vuh]A Jewish term describing food made without animal or dairy ingredients. According to KOSHER dietary…
Glatt Kosher
Entry in progress -- B.P. About.com: Kosher FoodWhat is Glatt Kosher?By Giora Shimoni, About.comQuestion: What is Glatt Kosher?Answer: The technical definition of glatt kosher is meat from animals…
Barista
"Barista" is the Italian word for "bartender." By at least 1964 (according to an English citation below), the "barista" was a person in an Italian coffee bar who…
Sling (Singapore Sling)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Epicurious.com: Food DictionaryslingAn alcoholic drink made with lemon juice, powdered sugar and a LIQUOR such as BRANDY, GIN, VODKA or WHISKEY. Slings are usually served…
Gairville
"Gairville" was once the nickname of that area of Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, now known as DUMBO. Robert Gair (1839-1927) was a successful paper-box and paper-bag…
“A watched pot never boils”
"A watched pot never boils" (also "a watched kettle never boils" and "a watched pot is slow to boil") means that constant anticipation and watching makes things seem…
Mamie Taylor (cocktail)
The Mamie Taylor cocktail was named after an 1890s opera star. The non-alcoholic Horse's Neck cocktail contained ginger ale, ice and lime juice; the Mamie Taylor added whiskey. The 1940s-1950s…
“Hill of beans” (idiom)
"Hill of beans" (or "not worth a hill of beans") means a worthless thing or endeavor; a "bean" isn't worth much, so a "hill of beans" isn't worth…
“Go the whole hog”
"To go the whole hog" (that is, to go all the way) is an Americanism that dates back to January 1828. Supporters of presidential candidate Andrew Jackson were called "whole hog"…
Chevon (goat meat)
"Chevon" is a modern word meaning "goat meat," taken from the French word for goat (chèvre ). The new term (pronounced like shav'on) won a 1922 contest by the Sheep and…
Cary Grant (cocktail)
The Cary Grant cocktail was named after the actor Cary Grant (1904-1986). Grant drank many cocktails on film, but it's not known if he ever had the cocktail named after him. (Grant's…
Shirley Temple (non-alcoholic cocktail)
The Shirley Temple cocktail is a non-alcoholic cocktail (or "mocktail") named after film's 1930s child star Shirley Temple (1928-2014). According the the most frequent story, a…
Yum (Yum-Yum; Yummy; Yumptious; Yum-O)
"Yum" is used to express satisfaction, especially in regard to food that one has tasted. The food can be described as "yum-yum," "yummy," and even "yum-o."…
“Everything but the squeal”
"Everything but the squeal" is a term used at hog packing houses to indicate that almost nothing of the animal goes to waste. The term dates from about the 1860s and is still used. A…
Micro-recipe
There are at least two meanings for "micro-recipe." A "micro-recipe" can be a recipe to be cooked in a microwave oven. This use of "micro-recipe" dates to at least…