Five versions of why New York is called the Big Apple

Today in New York, apple images can be seen everywhere. However, few people know why this city is called the Big Apple. The edition will help us figure this out The Village.

So, according to one of the most ancient versions, the history of the term goes back to the first tree planted here by immigrants. It was Apple tree, which soon gave the first fruits - they, allegedly, became the symbol of New York.

There is another version - of French origin. She connects this name with brothels, of which there were many in the city of the 19th century, as well as young prostitutes. They were then called "Eve's apples".

There is another common version, according to which the term "Big Apple" appeared in the 1930-ies. At that time, New York (or rather Harlem) gradually gained fame as jazz capital. Rumor has it that in those days there was a saying among jazz musicians: "There are a lot of apples on the success tree, but if you managed to conquer New York, then you got a big apple."

The term was also associated with apples that were distributed to the poor in years of the Great Depression.

However, there is a more realistic version of the origin of this name. It originated in the 1920's, when the term “Big Apple” was first used by sports columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph, John Fitzgerald.

In those days, New York racecourses were very famous. As Fitzgerald told (do not confuse with a famous writer), in New Orleans he heard from jockeys such an expression: “Horses love apples, and horse racing in New York, it's a big apple. ” He picked up this expression and used it in a story about the New York horse racing.

On the subject: How to see the Big Apple with minimal cost?

He called his chronicle Around the Big Apple. Therefore, at the intersection of Broadway and 54-th West Street, you can see the sign Big Apple Corner, installed in honor of John Fitzgerald.

By the way, in the beginning of the 1970's, when the metropolis gained a dubious reputation due to constant strikes, street crimes and riots, the New York Tourism Bureau was thinking about how to attract more tourists. It was then that they again remembered the already forgotten apple and conducted one of the most successful advertising campaigns, painting in front of every American a kind of juicy red-sided fruit. Needless to say, the campaign was a success.

Today, everyone, having heard the term "Big Apple", immediately understands that we are talking about New York.

It is worth noting that if the last version of the origin of the term indicated on our list is reliable, then in 2020 the city will celebrate the 100 anniversary of this name.