Big Apple

B

Big Apple (metonym)
/bɪɡ ˈæpəl/

Meaning

• New York City: Informally, “Big Apple” refers to New York City.
• Jazz Dance: “Big Apple” is also a jazz dance combining circular group formations with improvised solos and duets.

Synonyms

• Gotham
• The City That Never Sleeps
• Empire City

Example Sentences

1. After graduating, she moved to the Big Apple to pursue her acting career.
2. Tourists from around the world visit the Big Apple to see landmarks like Times Square and Central Park.
3. The Big Apple Marathon attracts runners from all corners of the globe.
4. He dreams of performing on Broadway, right in the heart of the Big Apple.
5. The Big Apple is known for its diverse culinary scene, offering cuisines from every culture.

Origin and History

The term “Big Apple” was popularized as a nickname for New York City by John J. Fitz Gerald, a horse-racing writer for the New York Morning Telegraph in the 1920s. The earliest of these was a casual reference on May 3, 1921.

Horse Racing Connection

Fitz Gerald reportedly first heard “The Big Apple” used to describe New York’s racetracks by two African American stable hands at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. Using racing records, Popik traced that conversation to January 1920.

Jazz Musicians’ Adoption

In the 1930s, jazz musicians embraced “Big Apple” as a reference to New York City, signifying the city’s prominence in the jazz scene. The term was used in songs and dance styles, further embedding it into popular culture.

Revival in the 1970s

The nickname fell out of favor in the mid-20th century but was revived in the 1970s through a tourism campaign by the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau. The campaign aimed to attract tourists by highlighting the city’s vibrant culture and opportunities, solidifying “Big Apple” as a beloved moniker for New York City.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest known usage of “big apple” appears in the book The Wayfarer in New York (1909), in which Edward Sandford Martin writes:

Kansas is apt to see in New York a greedy city … It inclines to think that the big apple gets a disproportionate share of the national sap.

William Safire considered this the coinage, but because the phrase is not quoted in the text, it is likely that it was used as a metaphor, and not as a nickname for the city.

The Bottom Line

The term “Big Apple” has evolved over the years, originating from horse racing slang and later being adopted by jazz musicians, before becoming a widely recognized nickname for New York City through strategic tourism campaigns. Its rich history reflects the city’s dynamic culture and enduring appeal.

Apple, Horse