FYI: If you’ve ever ridden the New York City subway, you might be familiar with the phenomenon known as “Subway Juice.”
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### Exploring the Mystery of “Subway Juice” in New York City Subway
If you’ve ever navigated the underground labyrinth of New York City’s subway system, you’ve likely encountered the oddly persistent pools of liquid that gather on station floors. This peculiar sight is not entirely uncommon, and New Yorkers have affectionately dubbed it “Subway Juice.” Unfortunately, this “juice” is far from delightful.
### What Exactly Is Subway Juice?
The origin of this subway sludge is varied. Water seeps from the ceilings, drips from fixtures, and collects into these mysterious puddles. To dig into the real dirt—both literal and figurative—a TikToker with the username “howdirtyis” decided to investigate this subway phenomenon scientifically.
Equipped with a swab, “howdirtyis” ventured to the West Fourth Street/Washington Square subway station in Greenwich Village. There, a sample of the Subway Juice was collected from the ground and carefully spread into a Petri dish before being placed in an incubator.
### The Dirty Truth Revealed
After allowing the sample some time in the incubator, the results were revealed. The Petri dish teemed with various bacteria, giving a vivid picture of the grime we tread on daily. Although the exact bacteria were not identified, the TikToker noted an unpleasant odor emanating from the dish. To add a touch of irony, Tinashe’s “Nasty Girl” played in the background throughout the video.
While this experiment wasn’t a rigorous scientific endeavor, the bacteria present in the Petri dish highlighted just how filthy the subway station floors can be. The ground sample only gives us a partial view; capturing Subway Juice mid-leak might yield a more isolated and accurate sample of the mysterious liquid.
### Moving Forward
Curiosity about the true nature of Subway Juice remains. Future experiments aiming to capture the liquid mid-air might give a clearer picture of what substances make up this notorious subway sludge. As for now, the findings are enough to make anyone think twice before dragging their subway-soiled shoes into their living spaces.
As we continue to explore urban hygiene mysteries like these, it’s clear that New York City’s subways have a grime all their own. For more eye-opening investigations and updates, visit Automotive.fyi and stay connected with us on X @automotivefyi. If you have any tips or stories to share, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
