New York State proudly stands as America’s second-largest apple producer, trailing only Washington State. However, the famed nickname of New York City, “the Big Apple,” surprisingly has no connection to apple orchards or fruit cultivation. The origins of this moniker are far more intriguing, rooted in the vibrant world of horseracing in the early 20th century.
The phrase “Big Apple” first gained traction around the 1920s, thanks to the insightful writings of John Fitz Gerald, a sportswriter for the New York Morning Telegraph. Fitz Gerald, who covered horse racing, overheard African American stable hands in New Orleans using the term “the big apple” to refer to New York City. For these stable workers, New York City wasn’t just any city; it was the ultimate destination, the place where the most significant and lucrative horseraces were held. The “big apple” represented the grandest stage, the major leagues of horse racing, a place of immense opportunity and excitement compared to smaller, regional tracks.
Intrigued by this colorful slang, Fitz Gerald adopted “Big Apple” in his columns, popularizing it among his readership and the wider public. He launched a column titled “Around the Big Apple,” further cementing the nickname’s association with New York City, particularly within the horseracing community.
The “Big Apple” moniker then transcended the realm of sports and found a new home in the world of jazz music during the 1930s. Jazz musicians, much like the stable hands before them, embraced the term to signify New York City’s paramount status. For musicians across the nation, New York City was the epicenter of jazz, boasting the most prestigious music clubs and offering unparalleled opportunities for success and recognition. To play in New York City, “the Big Apple,” meant you had reached the pinnacle of the jazz world.
Interestingly, after its heyday in the early to mid-20th century, the nickname “Big Apple” gradually faded from common usage. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that this iconic sobriquet experienced a remarkable resurgence. Facing economic challenges and grappling with a high crime rate, New York City sought to revitalize its image and attract tourism.
Charles Gillett, the president of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, spearheaded a clever advertising campaign to polish New York City’s tarnished reputation. Gillett, a jazz aficionado, remembered “Big Apple” as a term of endearment and respect for the city. He recognized the nickname’s potential to evoke a sense of excitement and allure.
The tourism campaign, aptly named “Big Apple,” was a resounding success. Promotional materials, including buttons, t-shirts, and catchy slogans like “Take a bite out of the Big Apple,” flooded the market. This time, the nickname firmly stuck. The campaign effectively rebranded New York City, associating it with positive connotations of opportunity, excitement, and a vibrant urban experience, drawing tourists and restoring civic pride.
In a historical footnote, long before it was known as the Big Apple, New York City briefly carried the name “New Orange.” In 1673, the Dutch briefly recaptured New York from the English and renamed it New Orange in honor of William III of Orange. However, this Dutch interlude was short-lived, as the city reverted to English control and its original name, New York, just a year later.
In conclusion, the story of how New York City became the “Big Apple” is a captivating journey through horseracing slang, jazz culture, and a clever tourism revival. Far from its agricultural connotations, the nickname embodies the city’s long-standing reputation as a center of opportunity, excitement, and cultural significance, a truly global metropolis that continues to attract dreamers and strivers from all corners of the world.
