Manicotti
"Manicotti" (an Italian dish) was first popularized in New York. From the New York Herald Tribune, "Dining Around New York" by Clementine Paddleford, 21 April 1962, pg. 9, col.…
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Beefsteak
The "beefsteak" is a New York tradition from the 19th century that has since died out. January 1893, Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, "New York Restaurant Life," pg. 108,…
Swing Street (52nd Street)
"Swing Street" is the name for 52nd Street. At one time, many swing clubs were located here. The name dates from the swing era of the 1930s. 21 November 1937, New York Times, pg.…
“New York City (Such a Beautiful Disease)”
"New York City (Such a Beautiful Disease)" is a popular song by a real New Yorker, Norah Jones. The book Songs in the City needs to be updated for this one. I hear the Norah Jones song…
No Soap. Radio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_soap_radio The Wikipedia entry above is a good explanation of this "joke." Was it born in the Bronx? 18 June 1971, New York Times, pg. 63:No. 1 is the home…
New York Roll (sushi)
The "New York roll" is a recent "sushi bar" invention to counter the popular "California roll" (avocado, crabmeat, mayonnaise encased in rice). "New York…
“If you see something, say something” (safety slogan)
"If you see something, say something" was the Metropolitan Transit Authority's 2003 response to terrorism. The trademarked slogan (used on buses and trains) was created by Allen Kay,…
“Like No Other Store in the World” (Bloomingdale’s)
In 1976, with the opening of its Washington. D.C. store, Bloomingdale's began its memorable advertising campaign, declaring itself to be "like no other store in the world." Typical…
“World’s Largest Store” (Macy’s)
The "World's Largest Store" is, of course, Macy's in Herald Square. However, it appears that Sear's in Chicago once held the title in the early 1900s. 22 February 1925,…
“New York’s alright if you like saxophones”
The group Fear recorded a song in 1982 titled "New York's alright if you like saxophones." The song didn't have very nice things to say about New York City. Then again, Fear is…
“Why do they call it a World Series when it’s always played in the Bronx?”
"They call it the World Series...but it is usually played in the Bronx!" can be found in Google Groups, May 25, 2001. Here's a reference to this now-popular T-shirt wisdom: (GOOGLE…
Diana (of Madison Square Garden)
The statue of "Diana" that graced the old Madison Square Garden (at Madison Square) is now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A copy is in the Metroplitan Museum of Art. "Diana"…
Spirit of Communication (Golden Boy)
Want to own a piece of New York City history? Evelyn Beatrice Longman (1874-1854) designed this 1916 statue of "Electricity," or "Spirit of Communication" (nicknamed…
Jumbotron
The "Jumbotron" television screen (from the word "jumbo" and the brand name of Sony's "Trinitron" screens) caused a sensation when it debuted in Times Square in…
Lotto: “Dollar and a Dream” & “Hey, You Never Know” & “You’ve Gotta Be In It To Win It”
"All you need is a dollar and a dream" and "Hey, you never know" are two successful slogans of Lotto, the New York State lottery. The money from Lotto is supposed to go to New…
Mr. Met (New York Mets mascot)
"Mr. Met" is the mascot of baseball's New York Mets. The comic character appeared on the cover of the team's 1963 Year Book, complete a page inside devoted to him. The character…
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
"MoMA" is the Museum of Modern Art (www.moma.org), located at 11 West 53rd Street in Manhattan. It was located in Queens during recent renovations, reopening November 20, 2004.…
Book Row (or, Booksellers’ Row)
"Book Row" (or "Booksellers' Row") was lower Fourth Avenue, between 9th and 14th Streets. Another "Booksellers Row" opened on Fifth Avenue, near the Barnes and…
Chicken Divan
This "Chicken Divan" dish was the signature of the Divan Parisien Restaurant, 33 East 48th Street. Dining, Wining and Dancing in New YorkBy Scudder MiddletonNew York, NY: Dodge Publishing…
Tootsie Roll
It's universally accepted that Leo Hirschfield invented the "Tootsie Roll" in New York City in 1896, naming it after his daughter. That might be correct, but I have a few questions.…