Floby
the haircutting machine?
Locals say that the term stands for the names of the cities along the New Jersey Transit - North Jersey Coast Line: Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York, although this may be a backronym.
A further theory to the origin of this word comes from an earlier time. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s many of the resort areas around New York City were restricted. Jews (as well as other ethnic groups) were not allowed in these resort areas. Many Jewish families would vacation at the Jersey Shore. The town of Lakewood became a popular resort destination. The local population referred to these visitors as “Bennies” from the very common Jewish name of Benjamin. In later years the term has been used to describe anyone that visits the Jersey Shore.
Shoe Bee's origin also from out of town vacationers who wore their "shoes on the beach."
I heard that about Bennies too, doodle. I'm not sure if I heard the Benjamin part. I may have heard because "ben" means son of in Hebrew. I think.
Yup, floby-the hair machine. I think it's such a funny name!
How about 'snow birds' for the people who live in Florida for the winter and come up here for the summer?
"How about 'snow birds' for the people who live in Florida for the winter and come up here for the summer?"
My mom used to be one.
My aunt and uncle are snow birds. They own a house in Long Branch, right across from the ocean, and that's where I stay on weekends in the summer. They won't be able to do it for too many more years so I better enjoy it while I can!
bump to remind anyone who will be down the Jersey shore this weekend-if you stop by the Asbury Park boardwalk near Convention center, there's an art fair that I'll be in, and it's also some other big weekend about the environment down there.
I'd love to say hi!

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