Why New York is called the Big Apple
Ask any New Yorker today that is under the age of 50 and you will get any number of reasons why people call New York the big apple. i like to believe my version as it makes the most sense.
New York has been a large producer of apples for over 60 years. At one time the largest apple ever grown was form a small town in upstate New York call Esopus, thus the esopus apple was forever known as the big apple. but that distinction was lost to a European apple in the early 70's.
Given these facts many thought that was why New York was known as the big apple. Logical thinking but I don't buy it.
Before the New York State Thruway was built All bus traffic coming from the northern parts of New York State made a stop before entering the city. The rest stop had a large red apple mounted on the top of the building. The rest stop was known as the Red Apple Rest.
Hence when you were headed for New York City people would say, "Are you headed for the big apple?" thus New York City became known as the big apple.
The rest stop was located on highway 9W and highway 108 also past by the rest area. As a youth i always looked forwward to going to the big apple.
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Comments
An interesting take on a well known nickname! I've often been curious as to its origin.
I would never have guessed.
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