“Big Apple” date?: January 15, 1920
It is probable (although not certain) that we have almost the exact date for the "Big Apple" utterance by the New Orleans Fair Grounds stable hands. John J. Fitz Gerald wrote that he had…
1920s Non-Horseracing “Big Apple” Citations
There are "Big Apple" citations in the 1920s that have nothing to do with horseracing. These are after 1925. If you consider the horseracing uses to mean "Big Apple = New York…
1920s Vaudeville/Ragtime “Big Apple” Citations
The Chicago (IL) Defender is an African-American publication that has a national circulation. "Ragtime" Billy Tucker (a vaudeville/ragtime performer) wrote for the Defender from Los…
1925-1929: “Big Apple” in The Inter-State Tattler
The Inter-State Tattler is an African American newspaper from New York City that existed from 1922 to about 1932. There were four columns containing "Big Apple," and these occurred before…
1928: “On the Big Apple” column
In 1928, the New York Morning Telegraph ran a daily column of tidbits from the New York racetracks. Gerald Cohen spotted the first column. It is almost certain, given his long use of the term, that…
1931: “Around The Big Apple” column
Turf Play, a Chicago periodical, probably provides us with a third John J. Fitz Gerald "Big Apple"-titled column. On November 7, 1931, page 15, is "Around The Big Apple, By Mr.…
1963: John J. Fitz Gerald obituaries
John J. Fitz Gerald died during a newspaper strike in New York City. He never received proper credit for "the Big Apple." Much historical work on the Fitz Gerald family has been done by…
Big Apple (Broadway, in columns by Walter Winchell and O. O. McIntyre, 1927-1928)
Broadway (a street, especially in the theater district) was the "Big Apple" to syndicated newspaper columnists Walter Winchell (1897-1972) and O. O. McIntyre (1884-1938). Winchell's…
Big Apple Circuit (five New York race tracks)
The term "Big Apple" (or "Big Apple Circuit") usually refers to the racetracks of New York City (and, by extension, "Big Apple" for New York City itself), but the…
Big Red Apple (sculpture in Cornelia, Georgia, 1926-present)
Several regions of North America have been billed as a "Land of the Big (Red) Apple." Cornelia, Georgia has an apple monument that reads: "HOMEOF THEBIG…
First “Big Apple” citation in New Orleans: July 17, 1921
New York Morning Telegraph track writer John J. Fitz Gerald (1892-1963) used "big apple" in his columns since at least May 3, 1921. It meant the "big time" of New York racing.…
First “Big Apple” citation in Saratoga: March 10, 1922
New York Morning Telegraph track writer John J. Fitz Gerald (1892-1963, born in Saratoga Springs, New York) used "big apple" in his columns since at least May 3, 1921. It meant the…
First “Big Apple” citation: May 3, 1921
Gerald Cohen found the first "Big Apple" in a John J. Fitz Gerald horse racing column. The term "big apple" meant the big time, big money New York tracks. From the New York…
First “Big Apple” explanation: February 18, 1924
Above, the header from the 1924 newspaper column of John J. Fitz Gerald. Click to see a portion of the column which includes his use of "Big Apple." Part of a 1926 column is also…
Numerous 1920s “Big Apple” citations in the New York Morning Telegraph
Gerald Cohen's 1991 monograph identified about seven "big apples." There are many more. The citations provide overwhelming detail of John J. Fitz Gerald's authorship and use of…
Second “Big Apple” explanation: December 1, 1926
Above, the header from the 1924 newspaper column of John J. Fitz Gerald. Click to see a portion of the column which includes his use of "Big Apple." Part of a 1926 column is also…
Witness (1998): Washington Post writer Shirley Povich
No one would help me to find living witnesses. No one in New York City and no one in New Orleans. Many people who could have contributed to this story are now dead. The New Orleans stablehands were…
Witness (2006): Joe Zito
In 2006, the Society for New York City History (SNYCH) changed its website. No longer did it declare that "the Big Apple" came from a 19th century French whore. The horseracing theory was…