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The Seven Surprising Secrets Behind Why New York Is Called "The Big Apple"

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Despite being one of the most famous city nicknames in the world, the real story behind "The Big Apple" is often misunderstood, tracing its roots not to a romantic legend but to the gritty world of early 20th-century horse racing and a brilliant 1970s tourism campaign. As of December 19, 2025, the definitive, multi-layered history of this iconic moniker remains a fascinating tale of slang, journalism, and civic pride.

The term is far older than most realize, but its widespread adoption is a two-part story. The first chapter belongs to a dedicated turf reporter who overheard stable hands talking in New Orleans, and the second to an advertising executive who resurrected the phrase decades later to save a city in crisis. Understanding the full context reveals why this simple fruit has become the ultimate symbol of ambition and success in New York City.

The Central Figure: John J. Fitz Gerald, The Turf Reporter

The single most important entity in the history of "The Big Apple" is the man who first popularized it in print: John Joseph Fitz Gerald. His life and career are intrinsically linked to the term's rise in the 1920s.

  • Full Name: John Joseph Fitz Gerald
  • Born: March 7, 1893 (in New York)
  • Died: March 17, 1963 (in New York)
  • Primary Career: Turf Racing Writer / Sportswriter
  • Key Publication: New York Morning Telegraph
  • Years of Service: 1912 to 1940 (as turf editor and columnist)
  • Signature Column: "Around the Big Apple"
  • Legacy: Credited with popularizing the nickname "The Big Apple" for New York City, specifically its horse racing circuit.
  • Official Recognition: "Big Apple Corner" in Manhattan was named in his honor in 1997.

1. The Horse Racing Origin: Big Prizes, Big Apples

The true origin of "The Big Apple" is firmly rooted in the competitive, high-stakes world of horse racing, specifically the tracks in and around New York City in the 1920s.

The New Orleans Connection

In 1920, John J. Fitz Gerald, a dedicated sportswriter for the New York Morning Telegraph, was visiting a training track in New Orleans. While there, he overheard stable hands and jockeys referring to New York City’s racetracks as "The Big Apple."

The Meaning Behind the Slang

In the context of horse racing, an "apple" was a term for a prize or a reward. The races in New York—such as those at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga—offered the largest, most lucrative purses and opportunities in the country. For any jockey or trainer, winning a race in New York meant hitting the jackpot—the ultimate prize. They saw New York as the pinnacle, the biggest, most desirable "apple" on the tree of American horse racing. Fitz Gerald was captivated by the phrase and brought it back to Manhattan.

The Column that Cemented the Name

Starting on February 18, 1924, Fitz Gerald began using the phrase in his daily column for the New York Morning Telegraph, which he titled "Around the Big Apple." His column covered the horse racing scene in the city, and through his consistent usage, the nickname quickly gained traction within the racing community and among readers of the paper. This journalistic effort is the single most important factor in the term's initial popularization.

2. The Jazz Era and the Second Wave of Popularity

While Fitz Gerald planted the seed, the vibrant culture of the Jazz Age helped the term grow beyond the racetrack. The 1920s were a period of explosion for New York's cultural scene, particularly in Harlem and Midtown Manhattan.

The Musician's Metaphor

As the phrase became known, jazz musicians adopted it. For them, New York City, and particularly Harlem, was the ultimate destination for any aspiring artist. Playing in New York meant you had made it to the big leagues. The metaphor evolved: an apple represented a gig or a performance, and to play in New York was to play "The Big Apple"—the most important, most prestigious venue in the world.

The Dance Craze

The nickname was further cemented by a popular 1930s dance called "The Big Apple," which originated in the South but was strongly associated with the high-energy, world-class entertainment scene of New York. The connection between the phrase and the city's cultural excellence was undeniable by the end of the 1930s.

3. The 1970s Tourism Campaign that Saved the Name

After World War II, the nickname began to fade from common usage. By the 1960s, New York City was struggling with a reputation for high crime, financial distress, and urban decay. The "Big Apple" moniker was largely forgotten by the public.

Bill Phillips and the Advertising Revival

The resurrection of the nickname in the 1970s is a brilliant case study in branding and marketing. In the early 1970s, the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau (NYCVB) hired advertising executive Bill Phillips to create a campaign that would boost tourism and improve the city's image.

A Positive, Catchy Symbol

Phillips recognized the potential of the forgotten "Big Apple" phrase. He felt it was catchy, upbeat, and provided a positive, cheerful contrast to the city's negative press. His campaign used the term extensively, featuring bright red apples in promotional materials, posters, and advertisements. The campaign was an overwhelming success, rebranding New York as a vibrant, desirable destination. This strategic marketing effort is why the nickname is universally recognized today.

4. Official Recognition and The Big Apple Corner

The nickname’s journey from racetrack slang to official city symbol was completed with a formal dedication in Manhattan. This act officially honored the man responsible for its popularization.

The 1997 Designation

In 1997, Mayor Rudy Giuliani officially designated the southwest corner of West 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan as "Big Apple Corner." This specific location was chosen because John J. Fitz Gerald, the original sportswriter, lived in a building on that corner from 1934 until his death in 1963.

A Landmark of History

Today, a street sign marks the location, serving as a permanent tribute to Fitz Gerald and the surprising history of the nickname. It ensures that the origin story—the connection between the city, the journalist, and the slang—is preserved for future generations of New Yorkers and tourists alike.

5. Topical Authority Entities: More Than Just a Fruit

The enduring power of "The Big Apple" comes from its association with a vast network of cultural and historical entities that represent the city’s ambition and scale. These connections provide the term with its deep topical authority:

  • Metaphor of Success: The phrase encapsulates the idea that New York is the ultimate goal, the largest and most rewarding prize—a concept that resonates with finance, arts, and media professionals worldwide.
  • The Five Boroughs: Although the term initially referred primarily to Manhattan’s racing scene, it now symbolizes all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
  • Cultural Institutions: The nickname is linked to world-class institutions like Broadway, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Wall Street, all of which represent the "biggest" and "best" in their respective fields.
  • Other Nicknames: It exists alongside other famous NYC monikers, such as "Gotham," "Empire City," and "The City That Never Sleeps," each reflecting a different facet of the city's personality.
  • LSI Keywords: Horse racing slang, New York Morning Telegraph, Jazz Age, Bill Phillips, New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, Big Apple Corner, Manhattan racing circuit, tourism campaign.

6. Why It Stuck: The Psychology of the Apple

While the origin is rooted in slang, the reason the name *endured* has a psychological component. The apple is a powerful, universally positive symbol:

  • Wholesome and Iconic: Unlike other slang, the apple is a wholesome, easily recognizable, and internationally friendly symbol.
  • The Forbidden Fruit: It carries a subtle connotation of temptation and reward—the ultimate prize that one must strive to reach, perfectly mirroring the city's reputation as a place of relentless ambition.
  • Visual Branding: The simple, round, red image is instantly memorable and highly effective for visual branding, which was crucial for the 1970s tourism campaign.

7. The Big Apple Today: A Global Icon

Today, "The Big Apple" is more than just a nickname; it is a global brand recognized in every corner of the world. It serves as a shorthand for the city’s unique combination of immense opportunity, cultural diversity, and towering ambition. The phrase survived a period of obscurity and was strategically revived, proving that a simple, catchy piece of slang, when combined with a powerful metaphor, can become an indelible part of a city's identity. From the stable hands of the 1920s to the tourists of today, the call of the biggest, brightest apple on the tree continues to draw millions to the shores of New York City.

The Seven Surprising Secrets Behind Why New York is Called
why ny big apple
why ny big apple

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