swankienda

n. a mansion or large house. Subjects: English, United States, Texas, Architecture

Editorial Note: This term appears to be special to the Houston, Texas, area, but has also spread elsewhere. Etymological Note: swanky + Sp. hacienda. Journalist Maxine Mesinger is often credited with the coinage.

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Citations: 1968 John Ayres Port Arthur News (Texas) (July 9) “Supper Tagle Talk” p. 4: High court judges were a dime a dozen at the sumptuous cocktail-buffet tossed by the law partners Marian Rosen (ex of P.A.) and Clyde Woody at the Rosen’s swankienda in Houston during the Texas bar convention last week. 1985 Maxine Mesinger Houston Chronicle (Mar. 10) “Big City Beat” p. 5: The Malibu swankienda was still under construction when Tommy lost his battle with cancer more than two years ago, so he never got to enjoy it. 1989 Late Night With David Letterman (July 25) “Top 10 Names for the Letterman Estate” @ Usenet: alt.fan.letterman (July 6, 2002) (mark lee) “Top Ten 1989 Pt1”: 2. The Swankienda. 1990 [moskal@qiz.sw.mcc.com (Anne Moskal)] Usenet: rec.arts.tv.soaps (Nov. 17) “AMC: Just An Observation”: She had it on at her swankienda confronting Adamo, and then bopping about Pine Valley! 2001 Clifford Pugh Houston Chronicle (Texas) (Jan. 20) “‘Miss Moonlight’ dies at 75; Columnist kept tabs on celebrities for more than 4 decades” p. 3: In February 1965, the Houston-born columnist landed a rare, exclusive interview with Burt Lancaster (top, left) in Dallas. Later that year, she and celebrity pal Judy Garland (bottom, left) were spied sharing a ride on the way to an undisclosed “swankienda.” 2004 Ken Hoffman, Ben Levine Houston Chronicle (Texas) (Nov. 13) “Coined word is reminder of columnist, her colorful language”: I appreciated your “swankienda” reference last week. Maxine Mesinger was my cousin, and it’s nice to see that her “phrase” has not been forgotten

Posted 15 Nov 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend