New York City, a global icon, is known by many names, but “The Big Apple” is arguably the most famous and enduring. This catchy moniker conjures images of bright lights and endless opportunities, but its origins are less about fruit and more about ambition and excitement. So, Why Do They Call New York The Big Apple? The story stretches back to the early 20th century and involves horse racing, jazz music, and a clever tourism campaign.
The nickname’s roots can be traced to the 1920s and the world of horseracing. John Fitz Gerald, a sports reporter for the New York Morning Telegraph, is credited with popularizing the term. He wrote a column about horse racing called “Around the Big Apple.” But where did he hear it? Fitz Gerald overheard stable hands in New Orleans using “the big apple” to refer to New York City. For these racing professionals, New York City represented the pinnacle of their sport, the major leagues, the place where the biggest races and the largest purses were to be found. Going to “the big apple” meant you were heading to the most important venues.
The term “Big Apple” then branched out beyond horseracing. In the 1930s, it found a new home within the vibrant jazz music scene. For jazz musicians across the country, New York City was the ultimate destination, the place where dreams were made or broken in the big-league music clubs. To play in New York was to reach the “Big Apple” of jazz. This adoption by jazz musicians further solidified the nickname’s association with New York City as a center of culture and opportunity.
However, the Big Apple nickname eventually faded from mainstream usage for a period. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that it experienced a significant revival. During this time, New York City was facing economic difficulties and a less-than-desirable image due to rising crime rates. To combat this negative perception and boost tourism, Charles Gillett, president of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, launched a clever marketing campaign. Knowing the historical significance of “The Big Apple” and its positive connotations of excitement and prestige, Gillett chose to revive the moniker.
The tourism campaign was a resounding success. “The Big Apple” was plastered on promotional materials, buttons, and souvenirs. Tourists were encouraged to “Take a bite out of the Big Apple.” This time, the nickname truly stuck, becoming permanently associated with New York City and symbolizing its energy, excitement, and status as a global hub.
Interestingly, “The Big Apple” wasn’t the only fruit-related nickname New York City has held. For a brief period in 1673, when the Dutch recaptured New York from the English, the city was renamed “New Orange” in honor of William III of Orange. However, this name was short-lived, as the city reverted to English control and its original name just a year later.
In conclusion, the story of why New York is called the Big Apple is a fascinating journey through horseracing, jazz, and strategic marketing. It’s a nickname that reflects the city’s long-standing appeal as a place of ambition, opportunity, and big dreams, solidifying its place in popular culture as the one and only Big Apple.
