Anne, thank you for always so generously sharing your curiosities with us. Your Substack reads like a living pulse of New York—offering a window into the city [through your eyes!] for those of us who aren’t there.
Just as people read The Power Broker to understand New York’s bones, your writing helps us feel its breath and rhythm today.
Oh gosh, do these youngsters realize that almost all of their slang comes from drag queens? This is DRAG slang. Clock that, tea, ate, sickening, no crumbs, giving, etc- it all started in Drag culture! I’m 54 and know all these terms well because I’ve been watching Drag Race since season 2.
Also, thank you for the heads up on the Dino bodega! So funny! Going to check it out.
Eric, Nicholi and Shinobi actually did mention this to me about slang! It'd be interesting to know why some subcultures coin any new terms at all, and why some are more influential than others.
The store, to save you a little time, is located before the turnstyle right by the entrance at the southeast corner of Plaza and Flatbush.
I agree! It would be really interesting to explore the origin stories for some of the language that makes it out into the wider world. This whole issue was especially fun, Anne. You always make me wish I lived in New York.
Anneriffic! (I just made that up). Two delightful pieces. The slang is especially good. Being an oldster, I am outta touch with what the kidsters are saying. Living in Vancouver, I am a few miles outside of the city.
In my teen years, when something was baaad, it was good - *everyone* said it (I mean in my middle school). Later, the bit of slang that was ground into dust was Right On. It became oppressive, and I was a leader in lampooning it by morphing into Right-Effing-On, and Oh-So-Right-On, until my pals told me to shitcan it. Shitcan was from my dad's generation.
TIL that Ock is short for Ahmed. Presumably you are familiar with the Ocky Way sandwich genre which, according to Wiktionary, features “large portions of meat and fried food like burgers, chicken cutlets, mozzarella sticks, french fries, chicken tenders, pancakes and more, stuffed into a sandwich.”
That's new to me Rob. Though I just googled and there is a shop called Ocky Way on Clinton Street serving guess what. Also it is almost lunch time. Hmmm.
I am sure you have indicated more than once you don’t do political, so how will you explain this to the Trump Stasi when they knock on your door? To quote: ‘The Mesozoic Transit Authority knew that dinosaurs on the subway have been underserved historically, and this fit(s) perfectly with their Dinosaur Equity and Inclusion initiative.’ Just sharing these facts is enough to have you transported back to Buffalo. I knew none of this until you told me.🐰
Just FYI Anne I tried to fill it out w friends/penpals in mind but it said I could skip questions related to dating that it actually wouldn’t let me skip and I gave up because I didn’t want to put a specific age/gender I was looking for etc. no biggie but just wanted to let you know! xoxo
Hi William! Yes a couple people have mentioned this. Though I believe answering the questions will not affect your friend match, I have asked the tech ladies to fix. Sorry about the snafu!
If I had an MTA space I would want to decorate it with lots of flowers and have lots of free fliers with instructions/suggestions for art projects anyone could do, or inspirational quotes/life advice, suggestions for ways to help other people, and there could be discount coupons for various local eateries or shops, even discount codes for online shops/services that people have never heard of.
Anne, thank you for always so generously sharing your curiosities with us. Your Substack reads like a living pulse of New York—offering a window into the city [through your eyes!] for those of us who aren’t there.
Just as people read The Power Broker to understand New York’s bones, your writing helps us feel its breath and rhythm today.
Genuinely, thank you.
Wow what a wonderful compliment. Now I can die happy. Thank you Yahaya!
Here’s the tea: Anne, gworl, your newsletter ate! (How’d I do? Do I sound tuff, or delulu?)
Haha! Totally delulu Laura but coming from me that's high praise.
Gworl made me think of skwon.
LOL
Finish your skwon, gworl!
Oh gosh, do these youngsters realize that almost all of their slang comes from drag queens? This is DRAG slang. Clock that, tea, ate, sickening, no crumbs, giving, etc- it all started in Drag culture! I’m 54 and know all these terms well because I’ve been watching Drag Race since season 2.
Also, thank you for the heads up on the Dino bodega! So funny! Going to check it out.
Eric, Nicholi and Shinobi actually did mention this to me about slang! It'd be interesting to know why some subcultures coin any new terms at all, and why some are more influential than others.
The store, to save you a little time, is located before the turnstyle right by the entrance at the southeast corner of Plaza and Flatbush.
Thanks for the heads up!
I agree! It would be really interesting to explore the origin stories for some of the language that makes it out into the wider world. This whole issue was especially fun, Anne. You always make me wish I lived in New York.
Thanks Elizabeth! So glad you enjoyed the issue!
Anneriffic! (I just made that up). Two delightful pieces. The slang is especially good. Being an oldster, I am outta touch with what the kidsters are saying. Living in Vancouver, I am a few miles outside of the city.
In my teen years, when something was baaad, it was good - *everyone* said it (I mean in my middle school). Later, the bit of slang that was ground into dust was Right On. It became oppressive, and I was a leader in lampooning it by morphing into Right-Effing-On, and Oh-So-Right-On, until my pals told me to shitcan it. Shitcan was from my dad's generation.
On and on it goes!
We might be the same generation, Terry. Although being a very good gen-x-er, I only used my cohort's slang in an ironic way, of course.
So happy you enjoyed the issue!
I aged 1,000 years reading this slang.
Haha! But I sort of feel like no one can keep up, Greg. The life-cycle of everything gets shorter and shorter.
That observation is some fine shyt.
Oops. Hit the send too soon. Please do a follow up on Ashley and Ray on their amazing sense of fashion!!!
OMG didn't they look fantastic Lynn???? I approached them entirely bc they were both wearing such amazing outfits.
It’s a wonderful edition. That dinosaur store is so cool. Thank you!
Thanks Geraldine! To me, the coolest thing about the dino store is that the MTA let them do it.
TIL that Ock is short for Ahmed. Presumably you are familiar with the Ocky Way sandwich genre which, according to Wiktionary, features “large portions of meat and fried food like burgers, chicken cutlets, mozzarella sticks, french fries, chicken tenders, pancakes and more, stuffed into a sandwich.”
That's new to me Rob. Though I just googled and there is a shop called Ocky Way on Clinton Street serving guess what. Also it is almost lunch time. Hmmm.
That's the famous one! Cafe Anne profile coming up!
I am sure you have indicated more than once you don’t do political, so how will you explain this to the Trump Stasi when they knock on your door? To quote: ‘The Mesozoic Transit Authority knew that dinosaurs on the subway have been underserved historically, and this fit(s) perfectly with their Dinosaur Equity and Inclusion initiative.’ Just sharing these facts is enough to have you transported back to Buffalo. I knew none of this until you told me.🐰
O L O Bunny as you know I am not responsible for the views of my interview subjects. But I'd love to see a battle between ICE and a T-rex!!!
My money's on the dino, Anne.
Hear hear!🐰
Thank you Beth🐰
i'd like to know what the Dino's favorite slang words are
period
Ooooh that is a GREAT question. Thank you AK!!
Another banger of a newsletter.
Cave for Rent -- I immediately thought "I wonder whether I can create a reminder to pay rent every 29.5 days"
RE Slang: I'm guessing you loved Ray. Anyone who likes to say skwon can't resist gworl
Haha I have a recording of Ray saying Gworl over and over. Maybe I will post it in the next issue!
Take them out for coffee and bagels. Let him order for you. "The writer gworl wants a skwon" -- make it a YouTube short -- vitality awaits
LOL for sure Mr. Dolan!
oops I meant virality not vitality
Question: What is Mr Rex's favorite meal?
That whole segment was easily my favorite part of this issue.
Good question, Mr. Edwards. I'll be sure to find out from Rex. Glad you enjoyed the interview!
Loved the dino shop and the slang, I feel much more informed.
Could we possibly have a penpal option for the match thingy? I want to write more postcards.
Hi KL! Yes you can absolutely work out a penpal arrangement with your match. I think that is suggested at some point in the survey.
Just FYI Anne I tried to fill it out w friends/penpals in mind but it said I could skip questions related to dating that it actually wouldn’t let me skip and I gave up because I didn’t want to put a specific age/gender I was looking for etc. no biggie but just wanted to let you know! xoxo
Hi William! Yes a couple people have mentioned this. Though I believe answering the questions will not affect your friend match, I have asked the tech ladies to fix. Sorry about the snafu!
Just curious when the matches will start being sent!
Should be very soon, Chandru. Maybe start of June?
If I had an MTA space I would want to decorate it with lots of flowers and have lots of free fliers with instructions/suggestions for art projects anyone could do, or inspirational quotes/life advice, suggestions for ways to help other people, and there could be discount coupons for various local eateries or shops, even discount codes for online shops/services that people have never heard of.
Oh man, this should be at EVERY STATION, Valerie!!!