Florida, The Sunshine State

This site is edited by Barry Popik. Technical matters are handled by Grant Barrett of Double-Tongued Word Wrester Dictionary.

The Sunshine State. A series of citations, quotations, and evidence on the true origins of terms and words from and about Florida. A web site by Barry Popik.

“Come on Vacation, Leave on Probation” (9/3)
“Florida—Land of Good Living” (8/17)
“Florida—Land of Newlyweds and Nearly Deads” (8/13)
“Florida—The Rules Are Different Here” (8/13)
“Gateway to Discovery” (or “Gateway to the Moon") (8/13)
“Miami Beach is where neon goes to die” (Lenny Bruce) (8/15)
“Summer on Yams, Winter on Yankees” & “Three seasons—orange, vegetable and invalid” (8/15)
“Where Shopping Is a Pleasure” (Publix) (8/13)
“World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” (Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators) (8/17)
American Riviera (8/13)
Cigar City (Tampa nickname) (8/15)
Cuban Hamburger (Frita) (9/27)
Cuban Sandwich; Medianoche Sandwich (7/29)
Derby Daiquiri (and Derby Daiquiri Pie) (8/16)
Elena Ruz Sandwich (Elena Ruiz Sandwich; Elena Ruth; Marie Elena; Cuban Turkey Sandwich) (2/15)
Floribbean (9/3)
Florida Room (8/16)
God’s Waiting Room (8/5)
Grapefruit League (Grapefruit Circuit, Grapefruit Loop) (8/5)
Grits and Grunts (8/16)
Hush Puppies (8/16)
Key Lime Pie (8/16)
Little Havana (Miami) & Little Havana on the Hudson (Union City, New Jersey) (8/15)
Screwdriver (vodka + orange juice cocktail) (7/17)
Snowbird (northern tourist) (7/29)
SoBe (South Beach) (8/6)
SoFi (South of Fifth Street) (8/6)
SoFlo (South Florida) (8/16)
Tampa: The Big Guava (4/3)