1

Knicks

Image: Kelly Sikkema

"Knicks" is the shorter, catchier version of "Knickerbockers." The New York team name was chosen in the 1940s because of its association with Dutch settlers in the city. In Washington Irving's satirical book A History of New York , the author used "Diedrich Knickerbocker" as a fictional narrator. Over time, the term came to symbolize the city’s colonial heritage.

One of the oldest teams in the NBA, the Knicks never changed their worldwide-known name or their headquarters. They also boast one of the most iconic sports arenas in the world: Madison Square Garden . The Knickerbockers brand became so well-established that it intentionally opted to never introduce a team mascot, to preserve its classic image.

2

Nuggets

Image: PIX1861

The Denver Nuggets don’t allude to any form of food. Let’s look at the team’s history before explaining its name. Originally, as members of the American Basketball Association, they were called the Denver "Rockets" in reference to one of the owner’s businesses. However, when the team prepared to join the NBA in the 1970s, they had to change their name because Houston already had a team named the Rockets.

After a fan contest, the name "Nuggets" was chosen as a nod to Colorado’s gold and silver mining heritage , where prospectors sought valuable "nuggets" of precious metals. The team adopted a logo featuring a miner holding a pickaxe, and the name has stuck ever since.

3

Rockets

Image: NASA

So, why did Houston name its team The "Rockets"? Technically, it didn’t. The team was founded in San Diego in the 1960s as an NBA expansion team. The name "Rockets" was chosen through a fan contest, inspired by San Diego’s slogan at the time, "A City in Motion," and its ties to the aerospace industry.

Less than 10 years later, the team relocated to Houston, Texas. It was understood that a name change wasn’t necessary: "Rockets" fit seamlessly with Houston’s role as NASA’s space center and its nickname, "Space City."

4

Pistons

Image: Tim Mossholder

The Pistons were originally founded in Indiana as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons . Their owner, Fred Zollner, also owned a manufacturing company that produced pistons for automotive and railroad engines. The team carried the last part of the name forward when they joined the NBA, and later moved to Detroit.

Detroit, known as "Motor City" for its global reputation as the center of the American auto industry, was the perfect fit for the Pistons name. The concept that the Pistons symbolized "horsepower" was what inspired the introduction of their mascot, Hooper, a horse wearing the Pistons’ jersey.

5

76ers

Image: Jimmy Woo

The Philadelphia 76ers derive their name from an entirely different source than most other teams. Honoring the city’s insignia as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the team’s name pays tribute to this pivotal moment in American history.

In its inception, the team was based in Syracuse, New York, and was known as the "Syracuse Nationals." It was one of the NBA’s original franchises. When it moved to Philadelphia, though, a fan contest was issued to select the best possible name. "76ers" was selected and it quickly became the popular consensus to shorten it to the nickname "Sixers."

6

Grizzlies

Image: Greg Johnson

Everyone’s first reaction upon hearing where the Grizzlies are based is the same: "But are there any grizzlies in Tennessee?" The answer is, none that we know of. But the team was founded far from those lands, in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the mountainous regions of western Canada, grizzly bears are indeed a thing.

However, the team faced financial difficulties and fan support challenges in Vancouver, leading to their relocation to Memphis in the early 2000s. At the time, there was some debate about whether to change the name. Ultimately, the NBA and team management decided to keep "Grizzlies" to maintain a connection to the team’s origins and avoid the costs of rebranding.

7

Heat

Image: Maxim Tajer

As many people observe, it’s unusual for a team name not to be a plural word. "Heat" is as fiery as it is accurate, belonging to the hottest state in the U.S. The city’s tropical weather inspired one of the most abstract names in the NBA, often symbolized by fire and the colors red, orange, and black.

The Miami "Heat" name was designated after winning a fan contest, beating other options like "Sharks" and "Barracudas." Fans also suggested names such as "The Beaches" and "The Miami Vice."

8

​​Timberwolves

Image: Andrew Ly

There may be no grizzlies in Memphis, but there are certainly timber wolves in Minnesota. In fact, the state has the largest population of timber wolves in the contiguous United States. The name for Minneapolis’ team was chosen through a statewide contest as a nod to Minnesota’s wilderness and natural wildlife. It was an instant hit.

The other finalist in the contest was the option "Polars," but it seems people found "Timberwolves" to be more unique. In later years, the team introduced its mascot, Crunch , a wolf often seen at events around the city.

9

Pacers

Image: Rui Alves

The Pacers emerged and remained in Indiana. The name was chosen mostly to pay homage to Indiana’s rich racing heritage: pace cars were used in the iconic Indianapolis 500 auto race , which evolved from horse races held annually in the state. However, it can also be considered a pun on the "fast-paced" style of playing that the team hoped to live up to.

In fact, one of the investors of the Pacers franchise was Chuck Barnes , who represented three legendary race car drivers: Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, and Rodger Ward. The team proudly retained the name when they joined the NBA in the 1970s after achieving remarkable success in the ABA.

10

​​​​Cavaliers

Image: PublicDomainPictures

Lastly, Cleveland’s "Cavaliers" is another example of a team name chosen through a fan vote. A local fan suggested the term, which refers to gentlemen trained in arms and horsemanship, for its associations with boldness, a fighting spirit, and a certain elegance. This option won, and over time, enthusiastic fans began referring to the team as "the Cavs."

Other contestants in the row were "Jays," "Foresters," and "Presidents." The "Cavs" nickname gained significant popularity during the LeBron era , as the star player’s success helped the team gain a stronger national following. Interestingly, the best-known rivalry for the Cavs is none other than the Golden State "Warriors."

1

Approval voting

Image: Element5 Digital

The approval voting system is an electoral mechanism in which each voter may select any number of candidates, and the winner is the candidate approved by the largest number of voters .

This differs from plurality voting, in which a voter may choose only one option from several, and the option with the most votes wins.

2

Ballot fatigue

Image: Phil Hearing

If you have ever looked at a ballot and felt overwhelmed by the long list of races and issues further down, you have experienced ballot fatigue . This occurs when voters choose not to vote on lower-ballot races or issues.

3

Blanket primary

Image: Mick Haupt

A blanket primary is an election in which voters can select candidates from any party , regardless of their own or the candidates' political affiliation. This contrasts with a closed primary, where only registered party members can vote

4

Canvass

Image: Ernie Journeys

This term has two possible meanings. On the one hand, canvassing refers to the process of aggregating and verifying all valid ballots cast , which includes absentee, early voting, Election Day, provisional, challenged, military, and overseas citizens.

The second definition of this word, in the context of elections, canvassing also refers to the act of soliciting votes .

5

Caucus

Image: Arnaud Jaegers

A caucus can refer to a closed meeting of members of the same political party or faction, typically held to select candidates or decide on policy. It can also mean a group of people united to promote a shared cause . Similar, perhaps, but not the same.

6

Electoral college

Image: Joshua Woroniecki

An electoral college is a body of people known as presidential electors , formed every four years to represent U.S. states, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president .

7

Mixed ticket

Image: Tiffany Tertipes

A concept somewhat similar to the previously mentioned blanket primary, a mixed ticket is a ballot where voters may select candidates of their choice regardless of party affiliation up to the maximum allowed for each race.

8

Dark money

Image: Mathieu Turle

In the context of elections, dark money refers to funds that are donated to a political candidate during an election campaign from organizations that are not required to disclose their donor’s identities . As expected, this money is often used to influence elections.

9

Gerrymandering

Image: Element5 Digital

This unusual word describes the process of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party or candidate over another. Wayne Dawkins, a professor at Morgan State University, explains it as "politicians picking their voters instead of voters picking their politicians."

10

Super PAC

Image: Mockup Free

A Super PAC (Political Action Committee) does not contribute to candidates or parties but makes independent expenditures in federal races , such as running ads, sending mail, or communicating other messages that specifically advocate for the election or defeat of a particular candidate.

11

Air gap

Image: Andrew Neel

Put in simple terms, an air gap is a physical separation between systems that requires data to be transferred manually, using methods like a disc, flash drive, or other portable media.

Election systems use air gaps intentionally to prevent or control access . The election system cannot be connected to the internet at any time.

12

Undervote

Image: Glen Carrie

As the name suggests, an undervote occurs when a voter selects fewer choices than allowed in a contest . Similarly, an overvote happens when a voter selects more choices than permitted.

1

The term "Speakeasy" came from a whispered instruction

Image: Shtefan Lounge

This expression, by now forever associated with the Prohibition Era, came from bartenders quietly warning patrons to "speak easy" when ordering illegal drinks.

It is believed that the phrase was already in use in 1800s saloons, but it took off during Prohibition. Hidden behind trapdoors or fake businesses, these secret bars required passwords or knocks to enter.

2

Prohibition sparked the rise of NASCAR

Image: Caleb Woods

Southern moonshiners during Prohibition needed to move whiskey fast. To evade federal agents, they needed to modify cars for speed and for driving through uneven terrains under the cover of the night.

What do you do with that peculiar set of skills when the Prohibition ends, then? Many of these trained drivers began racing each other for fun , and eventually for prizes. These informal competitions laid the groundwork for stock car racing, and in 1948, NASCAR was officially founded.

3

Grape bricks were a legal alternative

Image: Keegan Houser

Though commercial winemaking was banned, winemakers adapted quickly by selling "grape concentrate bricks" legally.

They were dense blocks that came with a cheeky warning: "Do not dissolve in water , add yeast, and let sit for 21 days, or it may ferment into wine." Of course, that’s exactly what people did.

4

Al Capone opened a soup kitchen

Image: Drew Gilliam

During the Great Depression, mob boss Al Capone operated a soup kitchen in Chicago, serving thousands of unemployed individuals .

The sign outside read "Free Soup, Coffee & Doughnuts for the Unemployed." It was certainly a clever PR move that helped soften his infamous image, even as he profited from illegal booze and violence.

5

There was a "whiskey prescription" loophole

Image: Anastasia Zhenina

While Prohibition outlawed alcohol sales, there was one major exception: whiskey prescribed by a doctor. The government allowed the writing of prescriptions for " medicinal liquor ," so millions were written. Patients could pick up their booze at a local pharmacy, usually in a clearly labeled bottle: "For Medicinal Use Only."

6

"Mountain Dew" meant Moonshine

Image: Josh McLain

Long before it was a neon-green soda, "mountain dew" was slang for homemade whiskey . The term already appeared in folk songs of the Appalachian region back in the 19th century, and it became especially popular during Prohibition, as illegal distilling became widespread.

In the 1940s, the creators of the soft drink Mountain Dew originally formulated it as a mixer for whiskey. The name was a wink after the bootlegging culture it came from.

7

Women were on both sides of the front lines

Image: Agustina Tolosa

Fierce women activists led the temperance movement, yes. For example, Carrie Nation famously stormed saloons with a hatchet. But many women also thrived in the world of illegal liquor.

Some saw Prohibition as an opportunity and became successful bootleggers, smugglers, and speakeasy owners. One of the most famous was Gertrude "Cleo" Lythgoe, nicknamed "The Queen of the Bahamas," who smuggled high-end liquor from Nassau to the U.S. East Coast and built a fortune.

8

Toothpaste and hair tonics were alcoholic

Image: Chelms Varthoumlien

With liquor banned, some people turned to unlikely products to get drunk. Items like bay rum aftershave, vanilla extract, hair tonics, and even toothache drops were legally sold and packed with high-proof alcohol. Desperate drinkers downed them despite the awful taste and potential health risks.

In New York City alone, an estimated 150,000 gallons of bay rum were consumed for intoxication in a single year.

9

Bootlegging funded jazz and nightlife

Image: cottonbro studio

Prohibition did help launch a cultural revolution . Speakeasies became centers of nightlife and music, and in places like Harlem, they gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday got their start playing in these clubs.

10

New York’s mayor toasted the end with a beer… on air

Image: Muhammed ÖÇAL

When the 21st Amendment officially ended Prohibition on December 5, 1933, New Yorkers celebrated with flair. So did their mayor. Fiorello La Guardia, a vocal critic of the alcohol ban , marked the occasion by cracking open a beer during a press conference and drinking it on live radio.

La Guardia had long argued that Prohibition bred crime and disrespect for the law, so this on-air symbolic gesture made sense and marked the beginning of instant change.

11

Some states didn’t ratify the end until the 21st century

Image: Chris Hardy

Though the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition in 1933, some states and counties held out for decades . Mississippi didn’t officially end state Prohibition laws until 1966; that’s 33 years after the national repeal. Kansas, meanwhile, banned public bars until 1987.

Even today, Prohibition echoes remain. Several U.S. counties are still "dry," meaning alcohol sales are restricted or banned outright.