The name “Big Apple” is used in some capacity to refer to New York City. The term first gained traction in the 1920s when newspaper writer John J. Fitz Gerald referred to New York City as “the Big Apple.” The term has been a part of the New York City lexicon ever since – and there are even tours of the city bearing the same name.
In this article, we’ll cover why NYC is called the Big Apple, explore some of the most popular explanations for the term’s use, and explore the most popular places in NYC referred to as the Big Apple.
Origins of the Name “Big Apple”
The term ‘Big Apple’ is thought to come from a number of sources. Its first usage dates back to the 1920s and a horse-racing columnist named John J. Fitz Gerald. The writer apparently loved to use the term when talking about races at the then-popular racetrack at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Other people attribute the phrase to a stablehand named Bob Githens, who is said to have used the term to refer to the many racetracks in and around New York City. According to the story, Githens claimed that New York was like an apple, with all of its racetracks as seeds.
There are also those who believe that the phrase has its roots in an old jazz term. Allegedly, jazz musicians used the term before Fitz Gerald when referring to the city, saying that the city was a great venue for ‘big apple dancing’ – a type of dancing popular in some clubs in the city.
Alternative explanations for the Origin of the Name
There are also some alternative explanations as to why NYC is called the Big Apple. One popular explanation is that it was a way for New York City to describe itself and differentiate itself from other cities. Essentially, the term was a way for New Yorkers to brag – saying that their city was the biggest and best, just like the ‘big apple’ of the tree.
The term’s use may also have been linked to a song called ‘The Big Apple’, which achieved some popularity in the 1930s. The song is said to have described the glamour and grandeur of life in New York City. In other words, it popularized the term in the city and encouraged people to use it themselves.
Popular Places in NYC Referred to as ‘The Big Apple’
The term ‘Big Apple’ is still used to refer to New York City, though it is no longer limited to the worlds of horse-racing and jazz music. Since the phrase was popularizedin the 1930s, it has become a fashionable and iconic way to represent the city. Below are some of theTourist and popular spots in New York City that are commonly referred to as the Big Apple.
• The Big Apple Corner – This popular corner is located in Greenwich Village and is marked by an apple-shaped medallion. The corner first gained recognition in the late 1970s, when an organization called the Big Apple Corner Preservation Association raised money to build a plaque to commemorate the area as the ‘Big Apple Corner.’
• The Big Apple Circus – The Big Apple Circus is a world-renowned annual event that brings in thousands of people from all over the world. It features various forms of entertainment, including acrobatics and clown performances.
• The Big Apple Greeter – The Big Apple Greeter program is a volunteer-based organization that pairs visitors to New York City with local volunteers who help show them the sights. The program was founded in 1992 and has since become incredibly popular.
• The Big Apple Festival – This annual festival is held in Brooklyn and celebrates New York City’s culture and its citizens. The event attracts huge crowds every year and features parades, contests, local art, music, and more.
The Big Apple has become a popular way to refer to New York City. The phrase, which first originated in the horse-racing and jazz scenes of the 1920s, has been used to refer to New York City in a variety of contexts over the years. It has come to represent the glamour and grandeur of life in the city, and there are several popular spots in NYC associated with the term ‘Big Apple’.
