The Big Apple!

A.K.A - New York, New York!

"The city that's so nice they had to name it twice!"

Some other popular monikers for New York City are - "Gotham City" and "The City that never Sleeps." The nickname "City that never Sleeps" seems to come from the 24 hour non-stop operation of New York's subway train system and around the clock bustle. I incorrectly believed that the nickname "Gotham City" came from the DC comic strip and fictional home of Batman. I've since learned otherwise. It turns out that "Gotham City" was first used by American writer Washington Irving in a collection of satirical periodicals referred to as Salmagundi. Salmagundi was written in collaboration with Irving's oldest brother, William, and James Kirke Paulding between January 24, 1807 and January 15, 1808. In the periodical, the authors lampooned New York culture and politics in a manner much like today's Mad Magazine.

Washington Irving.

The name "Big Apple" seems to have a less clear origin. However, recently (in 2004) the New York Historical Society and others agreed that the name was first popularized by John J. Fitz Gerald, who first used it in his horse racing column in the New York Morning Telegraph in 1921, then further explaining its origins in his February 18, 1924 column. Fitz Gerald credited African-American stable-hands working at horse racing tracks in New Orleans:

"The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There's only one Big Apple. That's New York.
Two dusky stable hands were leading a pair of thoroughbred around the "cooling rings" of adjoining stables at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and engaging in desultory conversation.
"Where y'all goin' from here?" queried one.
"From here we're headin' for The Big Apple," proudly replied the other.
"Well, you'd better fatten up them skinners or all you'll get from the apple will be the core," was the quick rejoinder."

Follow this link: Around the Big Apple for more info.

Regardless of which name you choose, New York City is unlike any other city in the world. With it's five boroughs, the "Big Apple" represents a true melting pot and global cultural center. From Wall Street to Harlem, and Little Italy to China Town - The diversity is obvious and wonderful. I was lucky enough to spend 4 perfect days in New York last week. The weather was gorgeous. Not nearly enough time to do all of the things I wanted (I didn't make it out to the Intrepid) but a great trip all in all.

Here are just a few shots from around the town - More will follow in another post.

Photo of Ground Zero
(Now under construction)

I had a little talk with the Bull while I was there. Now I'm not claiming to have anything to do with today's 936 plus point gain in the DOW, but while other visitors were kicking him in his anatomy, I opted to rub his horns for good luck!