7 Shocking Reasons Why New York City Is Called 'The Big Apple'—It’s Not What You Think

The enduring mystery behind New York City’s most famous nickname, "The Big Apple," is a fascinating journey through American history, journalism, and cultural revival. As of December 11, 2025, the definitive origin story remains rooted in the world of horse racing in the 1920s, a narrative that has been meticulously pieced together by etymologists and historians, revealing a story far richer than simple folklore. The phrase was a piece of track slang popularized by a dedicated sportswriter, fading into obscurity only to be resurrected decades later by a brilliant, desperate tourism campaign that cemented its place in the global lexicon. The true tale of "The Big Apple" is a testament to the power of language and marketing, illustrating how a simple, colloquial term can become the iconic symbol for the world’s most dynamic metropolis. It’s a story of ambition, where New York, the largest and most coveted prize, was metaphorically represented by the biggest, juiciest fruit on the tree. This deep dive will explore the seven key historical and cultural forces that converged to give New York City its unforgettable moniker.

The Definitive Biography of the Nickname's Originator: John J. Fitz Gerald

The single most important figure in the history of "The Big Apple" is the man who first put it to paper for a mass audience: John J. Fitz Gerald. * Full Name: John Joseph Fitz Gerald * Born: 1894 * Died: 1963 * Profession: Sportswriter, Turf Reporter * Key Publication: *New York Morning Telegraph* * Signature Column: "Around the Big Apple" * Active Period: Popularized the term in the 1920s * Legacy: Credited with cementing the term "Big Apple" in print and connecting it explicitly to New York City. * Memorial: The corner of West 54th Street and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan was officially co-named "Big Apple Corner" in 1997 to honor Fitz Gerald, who lived near the location. Fitz Gerald’s role was not to invent the term, but to act as its primary vector, transforming a niche piece of racetrack jargon into a published, recurring symbol for the city's premier racing circuit.

The Horse Racing Origin: The 1920s Turf Circuit

The accepted and most thoroughly documented origin of "The Big Apple" lies in the high-stakes world of early 20th-century horse racing. This is where the phrase was born as colorful, insider slang.

The New Orleans Connection

Fitz Gerald first encountered the term while overhearing a conversation between stable hands in New Orleans, Louisiana, around 1920. The men were discussing the New York racetracks. They referred to the city's racing circuit as "The Big Apple."

The Meaning of the "Apple" Prize

In the context of horse racing, a "big apple" was a term for a significant cash prize or the largest, most desirable reward. For a jockey or a stable, winning a race in New York—home to major venues like Aqueduct and Belmont Park—meant winning the biggest, most prestigious prize money. In essence, the New York racing scene was the ultimate goal, the "big apple" on the tree of success.

"Around the Big Apple" Column

Starting on February 18, 1924, Fitz Gerald began using the phrase as the title for his influential horse racing column in the *New York Morning Telegraph*: "Around the Big Apple." By consistently using the term to refer to the New York racing scene and its associated events, he popularized it among a wide audience of racing enthusiasts, gamblers, and city-dwellers.

The Jazz Age and Cultural Spread

While Fitz Gerald introduced the term to the printed page, it was the vibrant culture of the Jazz Age that helped it leap from the racetrack to the streets and clubs of Harlem and Midtown.

Jazz Musicians Adopt the Slang

In the 1930s, jazz musicians began to use "The Big Apple" to refer to New York City, specifically Manhattan, as the ultimate destination for professional success. For a musician, playing in New York—the epicenter of the jazz world—was the equivalent of a horse winning the biggest purse.

"There Are Many Apples on the Tree..."

The phrase was used to convey the idea that while there were many cities with opportunities ("apples"), New York City was the largest, most important, and most lucrative one ("The Big Apple"). This adoption by the arts community demonstrated the term's power to signify the pinnacle of ambition and achievement in any field.

The Dance Craze

A popular dance in the 1930s was even named "The Big Apple," though its direct link to the city is debated. Regardless, the widespread use of the phrase in popular culture during this era helped keep the nickname alive, even as Fitz Gerald’s column eventually faded.

The 1970s Tourism Campaign: A Strategic Revival

By the 1960s, New York City was facing a period of significant urban decay, high crime rates, and a negative public image. The nickname "The Big Apple" had largely fallen out of common use. Its triumphant return is a classic case study in successful tourism marketing.

The City's Crisis and Image Problem

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, New York City was struggling financially and socially. Its reputation was far from the glamorous image it holds today. City leaders sought a way to rebrand and revitalize its image to attract tourists and boost morale.

Charles Gillett and the Convention Bureau

In 1971, Charles Gillett, who was the president of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau (now NYC & Company), decided to revive the old nickname. Gillett recognized the term’s catchy, positive, and distinctly American feel.

The "Big Apple" Campaign

Gillett launched a major promotional campaign centered around "The Big Apple." The campaign prominently featured bright red apples in promotional materials, aiming to create a fresh, appealing image that contrasted with the city's grim reputation at the time. The campaign was an overwhelming success, quickly making the nickname synonymous with New York City for a new generation of Americans and international visitors.

The Official Recognition and Lasting Legacy

The successful campaign of the 1970s permanently etched "The Big Apple" into the city’s identity. It transcended slang and became an official cultural symbol.

"Big Apple Corner"

In 1997, in a move to officially recognize the nickname's heritage, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's administration officially co-named the corner of West 54th Street and Broadway as "Big Apple Corner." This location was chosen because John J. Fitz Gerald lived at 250 West 54th Street for many years. This act cemented the link between the nickname, its popularizer, and the physical geography of Manhattan.

The Power of Topical Authority

Today, the nickname is used globally, instantly evoking images of the Manhattan skyline, Broadway shows, Central Park, and the city’s relentless energy. It is a symbol of opportunity, scale, and cultural dominance. The term has become a powerful piece of topical authority for the city, used in countless films, songs, and books.

Other Nicknames That Failed

While "The Big Apple" flourished, other historical nicknames for New York City, such as "Gotham" (popularized by Washington Irving), "The Empire City," and "New Amsterdam" (the original Dutch settlement name), have either faded, become secondary, or are only used in specific, historical contexts. This highlights the unique power and staying power of Fitz Gerald’s and Gillett’s "Big Apple."

The 7 Key Entities That Shaped "The Big Apple" History

The story of the nickname is a confluence of people, places, and cultural moments. Here are the seven primary entities that ensured its survival and global fame: 1. John J. Fitz Gerald: The journalist who first popularized the term in print. 2. The New York Morning Telegraph: The newspaper that hosted Fitz Gerald's influential column. 3. New Orleans Stable Hands: The original, anonymous source of the racetrack slang. 4. The New York Racetracks: The physical location (like Aqueduct and Belmont Park) that represented the "big prize." 5. Jazz Musicians (1930s): The cultural group that kept the term alive and spread it beyond the sporting world. 6. Charles Gillett: The tourism executive who masterminded the 1970s revival campaign. 7. New York Convention and Visitors Bureau: The organization that executed the successful rebranding initiative. From a piece of racetrack lingo overheard in the South to a global tourism icon, "The Big Apple" is a nickname that truly captures the spirit of New York City: a place where the stakes are always high, and the prize is always the biggest.