“New York, the ‘Big Apple,’ the jazz mecca” (Hart’s Guide to New York City, 1964)
"New York, the 'Big Apple,' the jazz mecca" was printed in a New York City guide book. This was printed in Hart's Guide to New York City (1964) by Harold H. Hart:…
Food/Drink
“New York, the nation’s thyroid gland”
American journalist and novelist Christopher Morley (1890-1957) notably called New York City "the nation's thyroid gland." The thyroid affects human growth; New York's…
“New York, thy name’s Delirium” (“Owed to New York” poem)
Byron Rufus Newton (1861-1938) wrote "New York, thy name's Delirium" as the last line of his poem,"Owed to New York." He wrote the satirical poem as a reporter of the New…
“New York: For the Time of Your Life” (2005)
NYC & Co. (the city's tourist bureau) commissioned Frank Wildhorn (of several low-grade Broadway musicals, such as Jekyll and Hyde and Dracula: The Musical) to write a song to promote…
“New York: Tolerant of your beliefs, judgmental of your shoes”
"NYC: Tolerant of your beliefs, judg(e)mental of your shoes" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. "My favorite storage ad to date: 'NYC - Tolerant of your…
“New York. The Big Apple” (The Hurt Locker film, 2008)
The Hurt Locker (2008) is a film about an Iraq War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. An Iraqi man asks, "Where are you from?" One member of the team answers, "New York. The Big…
“New York’s alright if you like saxophones”
The group Fear recorded a song in 1982 titled "New York's alright if you like saxophones." The song didn't have very nice things to say about New York City. Then again, Fear is…
“New York’s Best Kept Secret” (Century 21)
The Century 21 store (across from what used to be the World Trade Center) wasn't "New York's Best Kept Secret." Everyone knew to go there! Century 21 is over 40 years old. The…
“New York’s Hometown Airline” (JetBlue)
JetBlue is a low-cost airline headquartered in Forest Hills, Queens, with a main base at John F. Kennedy International Airport (also in Queens). JetBlue has called itself "New York's…
“New York’s legislature is the most dysfunctional in the nation” (Brennan Center)
New York University's Brennan Center for Justice issued a 2004 report, The New York State Legislative Process: An Evaluation and Blueprint for Reform, by Jeremy M. Creelan and Laura M.…
“New York’s Most Fabulous Self-Service Restaurant” (Belmore)
The Belmore restaurant that used to be on Park Avenue South at 28th Street was "New York's Most Fabulous Self-Service Restaurant." It was famous with taxi drivers and was featured in…
“New York’s Most Famous Store Since Before the Civil War” (Hammacher Schlemmer)
Hammacher Schlemmer is today probably better known for its web site and its mail order business than for its store on 57th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenues. Its web site says:…
“New York’s My Home” (1956)
"New York's My Home" (1956) was composed by Gordon Jenkins and performed by Sammy Davis, Jr. It contains the lyric "When you leave New York, man, you don't go…
“New York’s not dead. It’s just underground”
"NEW YORK IS DEAD. DON'T COME BACK" is a saying that has been printed on many images. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many people left New York City. The statement by…
“New York’s Not My Home” (1972)
Jim Croce died in a plane accident in 1973. "New York's Not My home" is one of his thoughtful hits. The lyrics can't be produced in full here, but are available on other sites.…
“New York’s Picture Newspaper” or “New York’s Picture Paper” (New York Daily News slogan)
"...the New York Times, the Daily News..." So sang Billy Joel, when in a "New York State of Mind." The New York Daily News began as the Illustrated Daily News. The New York…
“New York’s Small-Town Paper” (New York Observer)
The New York Observer (a weekly newspaper) began in 1987. It's pink (like London's Financial Times) and it serves New York's "elite" -- mostly the upper east side or the…
“New York’s Spanish Steps” (TKTS. booth)
The Theatre Development Fund's TKTS. booth in Times Square began in 1973, just a small shack selling discount theater tickets for performances on the same day. It quickly became a success.…
“New York’s the Big Apple, bub, the heaviest scene in the world” (Rolling Stone magazine, 1969)
Rolling Stone magazine began in New York City in 1967. Although "Big Apple" was popular in jazz music, Rolling Stone mostly reported on rock music. A letter by "Fly Paper" about…
“New York’s tough without the coin, isn’t it?”
New York City can be a very difficult place for someone who doesn't have any money. American novelist and journalist Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) wrote about the music publishers of "Tin…