Have You Ever Been to the Big Apple?

Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by flora. flora Wonders, “ Why is New York City called the Big Apple? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, flora!

Have you ever been to New York City? If not, what are you waiting for? From Broadway to the Statue of Liberty, New York City offers a variety of entertaining attractions. Many believe it’s the greatest city in the United States.

So, if you get the chance, take a bite of the Big Apple! That nickname — the Big Apple — has been attached to New York City for quite a while. But where did the nickname come from?

If you’ve ever seen a map of New York City, you know it looks nothing like an apple. The state of New York grows more apples than any other in America, but that isn’t it either. So how did the Big Apple get its nickname?

According to experts, the Big Apple nickname for New York City first became popular in the 1920s. The nickname was used often by sportswriter John J. Fitz Gerald of the New York Morning Telegraph.

Fitz Gerald wrote about horse racing in the New York area. Experts believe he picked up the term “the Big Apple” from jockeys and trainers. They called New York City “the Big Apple” because the horse races there were some of the most important in the country

Other writers eventually picked up on Fitz Gerald’s use of the Big Apple nickname. Many began to use it in contexts other than horse racing. Over time, the nickname became associated with New York City, in general. “The Big Apple” even became a popular song and dance in the 1930s.

After falling off for a while, the nickname made a comeback in the 1970s. That’s when the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau promoted the nickname as part of its marketing efforts. The leader of the Bureau, Charles Gillett, thought the nickname would improve the city’s image. At that time, many thought New York City was dark and dangerous. Calling it “the Big Apple” made it sound like a happier place

So exactly how big is the Big Apple? Really big! There are over 20 million people in the greater New York Metropolitan Area. It’s the most populous area in the United States. In fact, it’s one of the most populous areas in the entire world. 

And New York City isn’t just a great tourist destination! It’s also the home of the United Nations. Many important commerce, finance, media, education, technology, and entertainment companies call the Big Apple home, as well. 

Would you like to visit the Big Apple? What would you most like to see? In a city that size, there’s something for everyone!