Why is NewYork called "the Big Apple"?

Question

Hi,
I've heard many people calling New York "the Big Apple", do you know why? and what's the origin of this expression?
Thanks

Answer 1

First, the explanation based on 'Eve" (Evelyn Claudine de saint-Evremond) and her brothel is nothing but an urban legend. In fact, the page from which everyone got this story (http://salwen.com/apple.html --The Society for New York History) never gave a source for the story and has since removed it! I think we can dismiss that one.

Second, Barry Popik's documentation of Fitzgerald's discovery of the term around 1920 --now widely accepted as THE explanation (and so listed on New York sites as well as wikipedia)-- is an important part of the answer. BUT it does NOT pull all the pieces together, nor does it actually tell you the SOURCE of the expression!! Fitzgerald was just relating an expression he first heard on a trip to New Orleans. So why were they using this particular term in New Orleans ??!

The New Orleans connection does appear to be absolutely critical. Note that it fits in with the long recognized use of the term "big apple" among New York jazz musicians of the 1930s (New Orleans roots!) And note that the fact that the term's first clearly DOCUMENTED use (by Fitzgerald) does NOT show us that the 'racetrack' application preceded its application to the jazz scene (it's hard to imagine how that would happen). It might well have happened the other way round!

So who coined the phrase, and why? I believe John Ciardi and Robert Hendrickson offer the best explanation, one which fits in very well with the Fitzgerald and jazz musician stories (though oddly Popik tends to be dismissive of it, perhaps thinking it somehow undercuts his work ?!) At any rate it makes a LOT of sense.

The explanation is simple:
The word "manzana" in Spanish means either apple or 'built up block of houses, neighborhood'. Ciardi suggests that the slang expression 'manzana prinicipale' i.e., 'main/big apple [or apple orchard]' was thrown around in New Orleans, a city with some old Spanish roots and expressions, not just French. (Popik seems to dislike the Spanish explanation because of the "French" background of New Orleans, but in fact there was more than one cultural influence in this area).

It's easy to see how such an expression might be picked up and used by folks in New Orleans to refer to some 'hot spot' where the MAIN action in a field (jazz, racing, whatever) was to be found --that was the place to be!

"In about 1910 jazz musicians there used it as a loose translation of the Spanish 'manzana principal,' the main 'apple orchard,' the main city block downtown, the place where all the action is." From the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997)."
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/21/messages/1121.html

Answer 2

Cause The Big Kahuna was taken

Answer 3

the actually reason why it is called the big apple has been widely debated and as such there is no real answer to the question-yet

but here are some answer people gave to the question....

Answer
In the early 1920s, "apple" was used in reference to the many racing courses in and around New York City. Apple referred to the prizes being awarded for the races -- as these were important races, the rewards were substantial.

Based on the research of Barry Popik, the use of "Big Apple" to refer to New York City became clearer. Popik found that a writer for the New York Morning Telegraph, John Fitzgerald, referred to New York City's races "Around the Big Apple." It is rumored that Fitzgerald got the term from jockeys and trainers in New Orleans who aspired to race on New York City tracks, referring to the "Big Apple."

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, New York City's jazz musicians began referring to New York City as the "Big Apple." An old saying in show business was "There are many apples on the tree, but only one Big Apple." New York City being the premier place to perform was referred to as the Big Apple.

A 1971 campaign to increase tourism to New York City adopted the Big Apple as an officially recognized reference to New York City. The campaign featured red apples in an effort to lure visitors to New York City. It was hoped that the red apples would serve as a bright and cheery image of New York City, in contrast to the common belief that New York City was dark and dangerous. Since then, New York City has officially been The Big Apple.

In recognition of Fitzgerald, the corner of 54th & Broadway, where Fitzgerald lived for 30 years, was renamed "Big Apple Corner" in 1997.

Answer
new york is called the big appple because there is a famous song for new york called the big apple.

Answer
that answer about horses and racing is true however The Big Apple was a nyc mayoral campaign during the 1980's to promote nyc and attract tourism.

Answer
Having discussed my trip to New York some time ago, with a friend, I was asked the same question.

One of the many 'credible' reasons why New York is called The Big Apple can be found here.

It sounds as plausible as all the other theories (Jazz, a song, a reference in a book, a horse race), but because I am French I am tempted to favour this answer... ie a French Madame fleeing the guillotine and setting up a brothel in New York. She was called Evelyn or Eve for short and as a joke would call her 'girls', Eve's apples (garden of heaven).

Answer
New York is called the "Big Apple" as in 1803 Evelyn Claudine de saint-Evremond was forced to flee France. She opened up a salon that became a place where men could enjoy the pleasures of beutiful women and high stakes gambling. The men that went to this such place lovingly nicknamed her "Eve" as to the biblical referance, and she would refer about the establishment and the women inside it as her "irresistable apples hence the name "The big apple."

Answer
I believe it got the nickname from the horse races that were held throughout the city.


Answer
In the early 1920s, "apple" was used in reference to the many racing courses in and around New York City. Apple referred to the prizes being awarded for the races -- as these were important races, the rewards were substantial.

Based on the research of Barry Popik, the use of "Big Apple" to refer to New York City became clearer. Popik found that a writer for the New York Morning Telegraph, John Fitzgerald, referred to New York City's races "Around the Big Apple." It is rumored that Fitzgerald got the term from jockeys and trainers in New Orleans who aspired to race on New York City tracks, referring to the "Big Apple."

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, New York City's jazz musicians began referring to New York City as the "Big Apple." An old saying in show business was "There are many apples on the tree, but only one Big Apple." New York City being the premier place to perform was referred to as the Big Apple.

A 1971 campaign to increase tourism to New York City adopted the Big Apple as an officially recognized reference to New York City. The campaign featured red apples in an effort to lure visitors to New York City. It was hoped that the red apples would serve as a bright and cheery image of New York City, in contrast to the common belief that New York City was dark and dangerous. Since then, New York City has officially been The Big Apple.

In recognition of Fitzgerald, the corner of 54th & Broadway, where Fitzgerald lived for 30 years, was renamed "Big Apple Corner" in 1997.

new york/ big apple

dont know if its correct but i'm told that from above new york with both its harbours is in the shape of an apple with the statue of liberty being the stalk

hope i helped

=)

Answer 4

its big and red

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Apple

That should answer your question!