New York City, a global hub of culture, finance, and innovation, is affectionately known as the “Big Apple.” While Washington State leads in apple production, this iconic nickname has nothing to do with orchards or fruit stands. Instead, its roots are surprisingly found in the thrilling world of horseracing in the early 20th century.
Around the 1920s, a sportswriter for the New York Morning Telegraph, John Fitz Gerald, regularly covered horse racing events. He often frequented stables and racetracks, where he overheard African American stable hands in New Orleans using the term “Big Apple” to refer to New York City. For these stable workers, New York’s racetracks were the major leagues, the ultimate destination for anyone in the horseracing business, representing the biggest and most prestigious venues – “the big apple” to be desired and attained.
Intrigued by this colorful phrase, Fitz Gerald adopted “The Big Apple” as the name of his horseracing column in February 1924. Through his popular column, the nickname began to gain traction, subtly entering the broader lexicon. The term resonated beyond horseracing circles; in the 1930s, it was embraced by jazz musicians who saw New York City as the center of the jazz universe, boasting the most significant music clubs and opportunities. To them, New York was indeed “the Big Apple” of jazz music.
However, the nickname’s popularity waned for a few decades until the early 1970s. Facing economic challenges and a rising crime rate, New York City launched a tourism campaign to revitalize its image. Charles Gillett, the president of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, spearheaded this effort. Aware of the “Big Apple’s” historical association with prestige and excitement, Gillett recognized its potential to rebrand the city.
The campaign was a resounding success. Promotional materials featuring bright red apples flooded the city. Buttons, T-shirts, and catchy slogans like “Take a bite of the Big Apple” became ubiquitous. This time, the nickname firmly stuck, becoming an enduring and beloved moniker for New York City.
Interestingly, before it was known as the Big Apple, New York City was briefly called New Orange in 1673 when the Dutch recaptured it from the English. They renamed it in honor of William III of Orange, but this name was short-lived. The following year, the city reverted back to English control and its original name, New York. Despite this fleeting change, it’s the “Big Apple” that has truly captured the world’s imagination, a testament to a nickname born from the racetracks and revitalized into a symbol of the city’s vibrant spirit and boundless opportunities.
