Why don't people like the word 'frisco' for San Francisco?

Question

It seems to be something that people there don't like. Also I was on a tour for SF once and the narrator (programmed voice) made it that saying frisco sounded bad. I was wondering why?

Answer 1

It's an old San Francisco tradition to be annoyed with the nickname "'Frisco". It dates back to the days when SF had the reputation (thoroughly untrue) of being one of the most godless cities on earth, with thousands of saloons, gambling halls, dens of prostitution and the Barbary Coast, the wildest waterfront on the Pacific Coast. The nickname "Frisco" sounded too much like "frisky", for one thing, and the high moral tone of the citizenry wouldn't put up with it, deeming that "San Francisco" was much more an indication of the peaceful and classy city that they preferred it to be. So the tradition grew that the city was not to be called "Frisco", but only by its true name.
In my opinion, Frisco is fine by me, as well as San Francisco. Whatever the name, it's one of the finest cities on earth.

Answer 2

I had a roommate from SF many years ago, and she told me that nobody from SF has ever called it "Frisco." If that's the case, then maybe you just sounded too much like a tourist.

Answer 3

My friend was born&raised in SF, he calls it Frisco. Frisco just sounds more cassual. The narrator was trying to make SF sound more grand and marvelous.. w/e.

Answer 4

people make ref to people in alternate lifestyles there as being from frisco but you have to say it right lol

Answer 5

Because it rhymes with "disco." (dancing John Travolta style)