New York, the city that never sleeps, is often given a nickname that resonates globally: The Big Apple. Although this expression may seem strange at first, its origin is rooted in the history of the metropolis.
No, in New York you won’t eat more apples than elsewhere! If New York is nicknamed the “Big Apple”, it is because Americans love to give nicknames to their favorite cities: “Sin City” for Las Vegas, “The big Orange for Los Angeles”, or even “Wind City”. for Chicago.
“The Big Apple”, which sounds much better in English, has become an inseparable symbol of the city. But what are the origins of this nickname?
The nickname “The Big Apple”, a historical debate
Theories on the origins of this nickname are numerous, and historians and epistemologists still do not all agree today.
The first theory dates back to the mid-20th century: “The Big Apple” began to be used by residents of New York to describe their beloved city. The term was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s by jazz musicians, who performed in the city’s clubs. At the time, major American cities were compared to “apples,” each representing a career opportunity. So, playing in New York, the biggest of the “apples,” was the ultimate dream for many artists.
Another theory, supported by Stéphane Bernsays that New York owes its nickname “Big Apple” to a famous American sports journalist from the 1920s: John J. Fitz Gerald, who covered horse racing, which was very popular at the time, for the New York Morning Telegraph. He would be the first to use the term “apple” to refer to the rewards offered to the winners of the biggest races. Appreciating this expression, Fitz Gerald then named his column “Around the Big Apple”.
“The Big Apple” for the Apple?
A more modern theory tends to assert that the nickname given to New York comes from the American multinational Apple, quite simply.
The emergence of the Internet and digital technologies in the 19th century would have contributed to the expansion of this nickname.
“The Big Apple” has become a tourist springboard
The nickname began to spread beyond music and horse racing circles thanks to a tourism promotion campaign launched in the city in the 1970s. This initiative aimed to attract more visitors to New York, using a distinctive nickname that captivated the public imagination. Available in all kinds of goodies, over time, “The Big Apple” has transcended its musical origins to become a household term around the world.
Regardless, the origin of this nickname blends various American cultures and histories, but still remains a current debate.
Don’t hesitate to ask your New York friends for their own version of the story!
2024-01-17 17:32:42
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