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From: jouni@ling.gu.se (Jouni Maho)
Subject: Re: Why is N.Y.C. The Big *Apple*
Message-ID: <jouni-300595163515@tormac03.hum.gu.se>
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References: <3o5mrn$q4b@idefix.eunet.fi> <3q5hch$oi8@fir-62.fir.fbc.com>
Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 14:35:15 GMT
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In article <3q5hch$oi8@fir-62.fir.fbc.com>, dkalfus@jusdnews.fir.fbc.com
(David Kalfus) wrote:
> In article <3o5mrn$q4b@idefix.eunet.fi>, markus.kajo@yle.yle.mailnet.fi writes:
> > I tried to find out just why New York City is called "The
> > Big Apple". Apparently the expression comes from jazz 
> > musicians' slang (around 1925-30) where "Apple" ment 
> > N.Y.C. and the "Big" was just an add-on that was glued 
> > upon the apple later.
> > But where does this *Apple* thing originally come from?
> > I happily accept apple pie as a symbol of America, but 
> > how come Apple and New York? Surely a banana would
> > be more suitable a fruit for the purpose..
>     I once read a convincing description of how this term came about.
> Unfortunately I don't recall it very well, but it definately
> concurred with your explanation.  Musicians would travel from city
> to city, and would refer to NY as the "Big Apple".  It definately
> meant "the big prize", or the "desirable reward".  I don't know
> why "apple was chosen" - I think it was just a tasty fruit.
>     I'm not sure if all desirable towns were called "apples", and NY
> was the biggest, or if NY was the Apple, and "big" was tacked on.


I've always been of the impression that "apple" is a common nickname for 
desirable big towns. Or maybe I'm just influenced by Lloyd Webber's musical

Evita; in which Buenos Aires is referred to as the Big Apple (as well).


With regards: Jouni Maho  <jouni@ling.gu.se>
