“You gotta believe!” (“Ya gotta believe!”)
"You gotta believe" (or "Ya gotta believe") was the catchphrase of New York Mets baseball relief pitcher Tug McGraw in 1973. The Mets had come from far behind in a crowded field…
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Competitive Eating Contests
Eating contests have been held in New York City since at least the 19th century. A pie-eating match was held in Brooklyn in in August 1886. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is held at Coney…
SINO (Student In Name Only); Pushout
There is a RINO (Republican In Name Only). Don't know who that would be. There is also a DINO (Democrat In Name Only). SINO (Student In Name Only) is new, but it could catch on.…
Murderers’ Row
"Murderers' Row" is a true New York City term. It grew from the infamous "Tombs" prison (long demolished) in the 1800s. In the 1920s, "Murderers' Row" was…
New York Sack Exchange
The "New York Sack Exchange" (a pun on the New York Stock Exchange, of course) was the New York Jets football defensive front four of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul…
Off-Track Betting (OTB) & “Go, Baby, Go!”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, New York had a lot of problems. "The Big Apple" campaign was started to improve its image, but that can do only so much. You need money! Mayor John…
Cosmos (professional soccer team, 1971-1985)
The Cosmos represented not just a soccer team, but the face of American professional soccer. A team of international superstars was signed, most notably the great Brazilian star, Pele. Huge crowds…
Stumpkin (stout + pumpkin)
Heartland Brewery serves a "Stumpkin," or "stout" plus "pumpkin" ale. The only trademark for "stumpkin" appears to be for the name of a doll.…
“MONY MONY” (1968)
"MONY MONY" was a Billboard #3 hit for Tommy James & the Shondells in 1968. James was looking at the "MONY" (Mutual of New York) building when he thought of using that for…
Only the Strong Survive (Bronx, Brooklyn, or NYC slogan)
"The Bronx - Only the Strongest Will Survive" is a t-shirt saying. The same sentiment can be found in parts of Brooklyn. A University of Pittsburgh basketball player wrote "Only the…
“Get Met. It Pays” (Metropolitan Life)
Metropolitan Life (or, Met Life) has been in New York City for about 130 years. Its most popular representation is the Met Life building at 200 Park Avenue (formerly the Pan Am building). "Get…
“Curb Your Dog” and Pooper Scooper Law (1978)
"Curb Your Dog" signs began appearing in the 1930s in an effort to get the "dog dirt" off the sidewalks. In 1978, a "pooper scooper law" was created. Activist Fran…
Pantondo
Bond 45 (the new restaurant at the former Bond's clothing store on West 45th Street near Broadway) offers its trademark "pantondo." It's $22 for cheese bread, I guess.... 23…
Cross at the green, not in between
Remember "cross at the green, not in between"? The ads haven't appeared recently, but this silly rhyme stays with us! 8 October 1957, New York Times, pg. 37:JAYWALKING LAWPLANNED BY…
Reflecting Absence (World Trade Center Memorial)
"Reflecting Absence" by Michael Arad and Peter Walker was selected from over 5,200 entries in the World Trade Center Memorial Competition. http://www.wtcsitememorial.org/fin7.htmlMichael…
“We Bring the Caring Home” (Visiting Nurse Service of New York)
The Visiting Nurse Service of New York has a long, distinguished history (since 1893). The business slogan is a new once (since 1996). I've seen a lot of the visiting nurses, and I just wish I…
Baghdad-by-the-Bay (summary)
Herb Caen (1916-1997) coined the nickname "Baghdad-by-Bay" in his San Francisco newspaper columns. He was "Mr. San Francisco." Neither the San Francisco Chronicle nor the San…
“You’re fired!” (Donald Trump)
"You're fired!" is that trademark phrase of Donald Trump, the New York City real estate mogul and businessman. The phrase was used on the television show The Apprentice and became…
“Asthma Alley”
"Asthma Alley" was probably coined by Jerome Kretchmer, an environmental protection administrator, in 1970. Parts of the south Bronx, western Queens, and Harlem have all been called an…
MetroStars/Red Bulls (professional soccer team)
The MetroStars were formed after the 1994 World Cup revived interest in soccer. The team was sometimes called the "New York-New Jersey MetroStars." In March 2006, the team was renamed the…