https://barrypopik.com/ An etymological dictionary of American words, names, quotations and phrases, including regional dictionaries of New York City, Florida, Oregon and Texas. en bapopik@aol.com Copyright 2026 2026-07-13T18:58:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/summary_why_is_new_york_called_the_big_apple https://barrypopik.com/blog/summary_why_is_new_york_called_the_big_apple Above, the header from the February 18, 1924 New York (NY) Morning Telegraph 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 December 1, 1926 column is also available.          Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan, where New York Morning Telegraph track writer John J. Fitz Gerald last lived. Google Maps. Dedicated, 1997. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.  Replaced with a green sign, July 2024.   Above, John J. Fitz Gerald (1892-1963), from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY)  Press, pg. 14.  Also see a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.   Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple restaurant/nightclub at West 135th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.   Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce “The Big Apple,” a hit song from 1937 for the “Big Apple” dance craze. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey’s Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich. Also listen to another 1937 “The Big Apple” song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra.     “WHY IS NEW YORK CITY CALLED THE BIG APPLE?”—SHORT SUMMARY:   “The Big Apple” (now the popular nickname of New York City) was the catchphrase of New York Morning Telegraph track writer John J. Fitz Gerald (1892-1963) in the 1920s. He explained “Big Apple” twice and it was the name of three of his columns. He picked up the term from African-American (“dusky,” he called them) stable hands at the Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans, probably on January 14, 1920.    John J. Fitz Gerald possibly first used “big apple” in print in the New York Morning Telegraph of May 3, 1921, when he wrote, “J. P. Smith, with Tippity Witchet and others of the L. T. Bauer string, is scheduled to start for ‘the big apple’ to-morrow.” Fitz Gerald’s first New York Morning Telegraph “Around the Big Apple” column, on February 18, 1924, proudly declared:  “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.”  The “Big Apple” racing circuit had meant “the big time,” the place where the big money was to be won. Horses love apples, and apples were widely regarded as the mythical king of fruit. In contrast, the smaller, poorer tracks were called the “leaky roof circuit” or “bull ring” tracks. The five original New York tracks of the “Big Apple circuit” were Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Empire City Race Track (now Yonkers Raceway), Jamaica Race Course (closed in 1959) and Saratoga Race Course.  “The Big Apple” became the name of a restaurant/nightclub in Harlem in 1934, and Harlem itself was referred to as “the Apple” at this time. A night club in Columbia, South Carolina also took the “Big Apple” name, and it was here that 1937’s short-lived national “Big Apple” dance craze began.   “The Big Apple” was revived in the 1970s by Charles Gillett (1915-1995), president of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau (later called NYC & Company and now New York City Tourism + Conventions). A 1976 ”“I’m crazy about the Big Apple” ad campaign by William E. (“Bill”) Phillips (1930-2018), of the advertising firm Oglivy & Mather, further popularized the nickname.  The origins of “the Big Apple” were solved in the 1990s by Gerald Cohen and Barry Popik.  A “Big Apple Corner” street sign was dedicated in 1997 at West 54th Street and Broadway, where Fitz Gerald last lived. The honorary street sign has been frequently stolen.        “THE BIG APPLE” WEBSITE INTRODUCTION (July 2004):  The African-American stablehand who first called New York City “the Big Apple” at the Fair Grounds Race Track in New Orleans has never been honored. Not by New York City. Not by New Orleans. This information is not even on the Fair Grounds web site. The stablehand doesn’t even have a name, mostly because almost no one has helped look for him.  The New York track writer who popularized “the Big Apple” in the 1920s is buried in an unmarked grave in Menands, New York. The “Big Apple” plaque that I put on the building at Broadway and West 54th Street in 1996 was quickly removed during renovations and has never been replaced. The historic “Big Apple” columns are nowhere on the web.  If you search the web looking for an answer about New York City’s nickname, you’ll probably be told that “the Big Apple” comes from whores (a hoax).  It is now the summer of 2004. “Big Apple” sculptures are about to be placed in front of NYC buildings. The Republicans will soon have their convention here. Thanks for reading this. If you want the stablehands honored at last, please write to the mayor. I doubt that he has any knowledge of the information on this site.    “BIG APPLE” ARTICLES:  PRE-1920sApples and HorsesBet a Big AppleBig Apples Are Top of the BarrelBig Time and Big TownLands of the Big Red ApplesBig Apple Township, Oregon County, Missouri (1895)Big Red Apple City, Wenatchee, Washington (1908)“The big apple gets a disproportionate share of the national sap” (1909)“The Great Big Red Apple that grows in the very top of the tree” (1917)  1920s: JOHN J. FITZ GERALD AND THE NEW YORK MORNING TELEGRAPH1920s Vaudeville/Ragtime “Big Apple” Citations1920s Non-Horseracing “Big Apple” CitationsNumerous 1920s ‘Big Apple” Citations in the New York Morning Telegraph“Big Apple” date?: January 15, 1920First “Big Apple” citation: May 3, 1921First “Big Apple” citation in New Orleans: July 17, 1921First “Big Apple” citation in Saratoga: March 10, 1922First “Big Apple” explanation: February 18, 1924Big Red Apple (sculpture in Cornelia, Georgia, 1926-present)Second “Big Apple” explanation: December 1, 1926Big Apple Circuit (five New York race tracks)1925-1929: “Big Apple” in The Inter-State TattlerBig Apple (Broadway, in columns by Walter Winchell and O. O. McIntyre, 1927-1928)1928: “On the Big Apple” column1931: “Around the Big Apple” column1963: John J. Fitz Gerald obituariesWitness (1998): Washington Post writer Shirley PovichWitness (2006): Joe Zito  1930s: JAZZING THE BIG APPLE“Big Apple” in the 1930s (Two clubs, plus song and dance)“Big Apple—the major tracks of the country” (1933)Big Apple (Harlem bar/restaurant, 1934)Big Apple kiosk (Mumbles, Swansea Bay, Wales, 1930s-present)Big Apple dance craze (1937)Big Apple cap or Big Apple hat (named after the dance, 1937-present)“Big Apple” (song by Bob Emmerich and Buddy Bernier, 1937)La Grosse Pomme (Paris nightclub, 1937-1938)Canned Apple (Big Apple dance + Can-Can dance, 1937)“I feel like doin’ a Big Apple” (Mae West on a 1937 radio show)Big Apple (football play at Davidson College, 1937)Big Apple Inn (Somerdale, NJ, 1937-1999)The Big Apple (Arcadia, MI restaurant, 1937-2020)Big Apple (drinks using applejack, 1938)“Apple” defined in Cab Calloway’s “Hepster’s Dictionary” (1938, 1944)Big Apple Restaurant (Covington, KY, 1938)Big Apple Cafe (Cincinnati, OH, 1938-1963)Big Apple Cafe (Shamokin, PA, 1938-1947)Big Apple Cafe (Calgary, Alberta, 1938-1940)Big Apple Supermarket (Georgia supermarket chain, 1939-1980)Big Apple Inn (Jackson, MS restaurant, 1939-present)1940s-1950s: ASSORTED BIG APPLE CITATIONS“Big Apple” in the 1940s-1950sBig Apple Cafe (Neosho, MO, 1940-1942)Big Apple (Fort Worth, TX barbecue restaurant, 1941-1968)Big Apple Shine Parlor (Harlem, 1942)“Big Apple” (Dan Burley’s Original Handbook of Harlem Jive, 1944)Big Apple Grocery Store (Harlem, 1945-1949)Big Apple (Yeaju-Dake Escarpment, Battle of Okinawa, 1945)Big Apple (supper club near Buffalo, NY, 1945-1976)Big Apple (USS Appalachian, 1946)Big Apple Concession (City Park in New Orleans, 1947-1949)“The Boys on the Big Apple” (Harper’s Bazaar article, May 1947)“Big Apple” (spoken by Frank Sinatra, 1950)The Big Apple (farm in Wrentham, Massachusetts, 1950-present)“Big Apple as mecca“ (Jet magazine, 1952)Big Apple Bar & Restaurant (New Orleans, 1952-1970s?)“New York is the Big Apple” (Stephen Longstreet’s The Real Jazz: Old and New, 1956)Bill Johnson’s Big Apple (Arizona restaurants, 1956-2015)Big Apple Cafe (Puryear, TN and Murray, KY, 1950s-present)“Big Apple” nightclub (The Three Faces of Eve film, 1957)Big Apple Restaurant (Asheville, NC, 1957-1991)“Big Apple” (Perry Mason, “The Case of the Jilted Jockey” episode, 1958)Big A (Aqueduct Racetrack nickname, 1959)“To the musicians playing it, New York is ‘The Big Apple‘” (New York Is book, 1959)      1960s: FUN CITYBig Apple (disco in Berlin, Germany. 1962-1979)Big Apple (club in Munich, Germany, 1963-1975)“Big Apple” (Robert S. Gold’s A Jazz Lexicon, 1964)“New York, the ‘Big Apple,’ the jazz mecca” (Hart’s Guide to New York City, 1964)“I had heard so much raving about ‘The Big Apple,’ as it was called” (Malcolm X, 1964)“Fun City” nickname (1966)“The Big Apple: Destination New York” (NBC-TV documentary, 1966)Appletown Sporting Goods (store in Harlem, 1966-2015)“New York has been the Big Apple for several decades (in jazz)” (New York Times, 1967)“Get back to the big apple” (Ebony magazine, 1968)“Big Apple” in East Village Other (1968-1971)“Big Apple” in Kurt Vonnegut Jr.‘s novel Slaughterhouse-Five (1969)“New York’s the Big Apple, bub, the heaviest scene in the world” (Rolling Stone magazine, 1969)“Rapping about how the Big Apple is outta sight” (The Last Poets, 1969-1970)“New York, New York, the Big Apple” (The Last Poets, 1969-1970)        1970s: BIG APPLE REVIVALBig Apple 1970s Revival: Charlie Gillett and Lew RudinBig Apple (music venue in Brighton, UK, 1970-1971)Gwen Barrett and 1970s “Big Apple” campaign (1971)“Back in the Big Apple” (Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone? play, 1971)Red Apple Supermarket (supermarket chain, 1971-present)“Some Great Sounds in the Big Apple” (Newport Jazz Festival, 1972)“Penguin at the Big Apple” (instrumental song by The Trammps, 1972)“The Big Apple” (instrumental song by Hugh Masekela, 1972)The Big Apple Band (1972-1977); Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band (1976)“Big Apple Dreamin‘“ (song by Alice Cooper, 1973)Big Apple Ball (charity ball, May 1973)Big Apple (Robinette’s Apple Haus, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973-present)Big Apple Mini Storage (1974-present)Big Apple (convenience stores in Maine and New Hampshire, 1974-present)Big Apple (tourist information booth, Meaford, Ontario, Canada, 1974-present)“Big Apple” T-shirts from the Daily News (1975)Big Apple Comix (1975)“Save Grand Central. No more bites out of the Big Apple!” (1975)“Big Apple” lyric in the Lynyrd Skynyrd song “I’m a Country Boy” (1975)The Year the Big Apple Went Bust (book by Fred Ferretti, 1976)“Talking Big Apple ‘75” (song by Loudon Wainwright III, 1976)“I’m crazy about the Big Apple” (1976 ad campaign)Big Apple (official drink of the Belmont Stakes, 1976)Big Appling (to visit New York City, 1976)“Big Apple” lyric in the Joni Mitchell song “Song for Sharon” (1976)Apple Polisher & Polish the Apple (I Love a Clean New York campaign, 1976-1980)“From the Big Orange to the Big Apple” (Saturday Night Live film short, 1977)Big Apple Circus (1977-present)Big Apple (roller coaster at Astroland, Brooklyn, 1977-2008)Big Apple Cafe (Rochester, NY, 1977-2005)“Big Apple Blues” (song by Slade, 1977)“The Minnesota Night Hawks. I’m coaching. The Big Apple!” (Slap Shot film, 1977)“Big Apple” float (NY Daily News in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1977-2017)“B.A., Buenos Aires, Big Apple” (Evita musical, 1978)“Big Apple” lyric in The Rolling Stones song “Shattered” (1978)“Everybody bites on the Big Apple” lyric in the Cat Stevens song “New York Times” (1978)“Big Apple” (song by Molly Hatchet, 1978)Big Apple (roadside attraction in Thulimbah, Queensland, Australia, 1978-present)Big Apple Turnover (Ray Williams nickname on New York Knicks, 1979)The Big Apple Bash (Jay McShann album, 1979)“Big Apple Waltz” (song by Sweet, 1979)“Big Apple Rock” (disco song by Black Ivory, 1979)Dracula Bites the Big Apple (short film, 1979)Big Apple Copy Center (1979-present)Big Apple Moving & Storage (1979-present)Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps (marching band, 1979-present)Big Apple College Fair (1979-present)2005: Statement from a co-worker of Charles GillettOff Topic: Charles Gillett on Conventions    1970s-PRESENT: FALSE ETYMOLOGIESGovernor Stuyvesant’s Tree (pear, not apple)New Orange (not Big Orange; 1673-1674)Big Apple Whore Hoax (1800s; proposed 1995-2006)Chelsea Apple Orchard (1820s)Slave Codes (1850s)“New York is a sucked orange” (not Big Apple; Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1860)Edward Martin metaphor (1909)Damon Runyon (who never used “Big Apple,” 1920s-1930s)Alain Locke and Harlem Renaissance as the “Big Apple” (1920s; suggested in 1988)Big Apple of Wathena, Kansas (1928-1940)Depression Apple Sellers (1930s)Harlem’s Jazz Musicians (1930s)Fletcher Henderson popularization of “the Big Apple” in the 1930sBig Apple dance craze (1937)La Grosse Pomme (Paris nightclub, 1937-1938)Cab Calloway’s “Hepster’s Dictionary” (1938, 1944)Big A (Aqueduct Racetrack nickname, 1959)Manzana Principal (suggested in 1966)New York City is shaped like an apple (1970s)There are many apples on the tree, but when you pick NYC, you pick the Big Apple (1975)Tightening of Adam’s Apple (suggested in 1978)Big Apple on New Year’s Eve Ball at One Times Square (1981-1988)New York State grows many apples (suggested in 1988)Five Apple Seeds, Five Boroughs (1990s?)Apple Store (2000s)An apple tree on every street (2013 movie explanation)“Big Apple” and the Dutch phrase, “to buy for an apple and an egg” (2020)“Why is New York City called ‘The Big Apple?’ Wrong answers only” (2021)Apple at the foot of the Statue of Liberty (2024) 1980s-PRESENT: BIG APPLE WORK BY GERALD COHEN, BARRY POPIK“Big Apple Rappin’” (rap by Spyder-D, 1980)Home Run Apple (Shea Stadium & Citi Field, 1980-present)Big Apple Pancake House (Chicago Heights and Joliet, IL, 1980-present)Big Apple Airline (New York Air nickname, 1980-1987)Big Apple Minute (WNEW-TV Channel 5, 1980-1987)Big Apple Movie (WNEW-TV Channel 5, 1981-1986)Big Apple logo for New York Urban League (1981-present)Big Apple City (Strawberry Shortcake animation, 1981)Big Apple on New Year’s Eve Ball at One Times Square (1981-1988)Big Apple Dyke News (1981-1988)La Gran Manzana (merengue band, 1982)“Apple” lyric in the Michael Jackson song “Human Nature” (1982)Apple Bank (renamed from Harlem Savings Bank, 1983-present)“Big Apple” (song by Kajagoogoo, 1983)Big Apple Flag (North American Vexillological Association, 1983)Big Apple Car, Inc. (1983-present)Big Apple Chorus (1983-present)The Big Apple (nightclub in El Paso, Texas, 1984-1986)N.Y.C. The Big Apple (Atari video game, 1984)The Big Apple (novel by Pat Booth, 1984)“The Big Apple” (Gimme a Break! episode, 1984)“Nueva York! New York City! The big apple!” (Against All Odds film, 1984)Big Apple logo for Javits Center (1985-present)Big Apple Bagels (Illinois bagel chain, 1985-present)Big Apple Pizza (Israeli pizza chain, 1986-present)“50K don’t get you to first base in the Big Apple” (Wall Street film, 1987)Big Apple logo for New York Cares (1987-present)Big Apple (roadside attraction in Colborne, Ontario, Canada, 1987-present)Big Apple Diner (Whitehall, NY, 1987-present)Big Apple bet (1988, 2003) between mayors of New York City and Columbia, South Carolina“Big Apple Blues” (The Facts of Life episode, 1988)Big Apple Awards (Public Relations Society of America-NY Chapter, 1988-present)“Big Apple” and Donald Trump (Fortune magazine photo, 1989)Big Apple book by Gerald Cohen, Barry Popik (1991. 2011)“Bite the Big Apple” (Murder, She Wrote episode, 1991)Big Apple Florist (1991-present)“Big Apple, 3 AM” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time video game, 1992)Big Apple Greeter (1992-present)Big Apple Meat Market (1992-present)Big Apple Corner (1992-1997)Big Apple on a hockey jersey (New York Rangers practice jersey, 1994)Big Apple Hostel (1994-2014)Big Apple Cafe & Big Apple Tourist Orchard (Bacchus Marsh, Australia, 1994-present)Big Apple Cafe & Event Centre (Waitomo, New Zealand, 1995-present)“God Bless New York City, My Big Apple Pie” (song by Y’all, 1995)“Big Bugs in the Big Apple” (James and the Giant Peach film, 1996)“The Big Apple Can Bite Me” (Cybill episode, 1996)Big Apple plaque (1996)Big Apple Comic Con (1996-present)Big Apple Corner (1997 Law & Today)Big Apple Corner (New York Morning Telegraph site)Big Apple Jazz Tours (1997-present)Big Apple Coaster (New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, 1997-present)Big Apple Pizza & Pasta (Florida pizza chain, 1997-present)Big Apple Stars Awards Program (Hotel Association of New York City, 1997-present)Big Apple Ranch (country-western dance lesson and party, 1997-present)“Bite the Big Apple” (The Devil’s Advocate film, 1997)“It’s the dream, the Big Apple” (Howard Stern’s Private Parts film, 1997)Big Apple (roller coaster at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Norfolk, UK, 1998-present)Big Apple Bank (Futurama episode, 1999)“Big Apple” query and Ask Jeeves search engine (1999)Big Apple (sculpture in Medina, New York, 2000-present)Big Apple Martini or Big Apple-tini (cocktail, 2000)“When you got to the Big Apple, they treated you like a worm” (Me, Myself & Irene film, 2000)Big Apple (pachinko parlors in Japan, 2000?-present)Big Apple (crime drama television series, 2001)Big Apple Anime Fest (2001-2003)Iso Omena (Finland’s “Big Apple” shopping center, 2001-present)“Bad Seed in the Big Apple” (Beyblade episode, 2003)Big Apple logo for Made in NYC (2003-present)Big Apple (brand of Schwalbe bicycle tires, 2003-present)Big Apple Innovation Awards (LISC NY, 2003-present)The Big Apple (bar in Ballyforan, Ireland, 2003?-present)The Apple (sculpture in Hudson River Park, 2004)Big Apple Film Festival (2004-present)Big Apple Fest (2004)Betsy Gotbaum and the fictional “Big Apple whores” (2004)Big Apple Fest (2005)Big Apple Shake (Johnny Rockets, 2005)Bacardi Big Apple (apple-flavored rum, 2005)Big Apple Mojito (cocktail, 2005)“It’s another fabulous morning in the Big Apple!” (Madagascar film, 2005)Harlem Big Apple Club plaque removed (2006)Big Apple (sculpture by Romero Britto, LaGuardia Airport, 2006-present)Big Apple Elevator Service and Consulting (2006-present)Big Apple Donuts & Coffee (Malaysia chain, 2007-present)Big Apple Music Awards (2007-2022)Infinity Apple (GreeNYC symbol, 2007)Apple—New York State Symbol (2007)Mr. Met And His Journey Through The Big Apple (children’s book by Aimee Aryal, 2008)Oxford English Dictionary “Big Apple” definition (2008)“New York. The Big Apple” (The Hurt Locker film, 2008)Big Apple (sculpture at Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Japan, 2008-present)New York Nike LeBron 6 “Big Apple” sneaker (2008)“Big Apple” answer on “Final Jeopardy!” (2009)New York City’s Official Apple Proposal—Newtown Pippin (2009)“Pomme de New York” (Big Apple sculpture by Les Lalanne on Park Avenue and 52nd Street, 2009)“Big Apple” explained in a movie (Barney’s Version film, 2010)“The Big Apple” (Kate Plus 8 episode, 2010)Big Apple Hot Dogs (UK hot dogs, 2010-present)“Our trip to the Big Apple” (The Fairly Oddparents episode, 2011)Rising Apple (New York Mets blog, 2011-present)Big Apple (sculpture by Romero Britto, JFK Airport, 2011-present)Stephan Weiss Apple Awards (2011-2018)The Other Big Apple (Meaford, Ontario nickname, 2011-2014)“Big Apple is fantastic, but cuts you down to size” lyric in Nickelback’s “Kiss It Goodbye” (2011)Big Apple Fashioned (cocktail, 2012)Big Apple Church (Manhattan branch of New York City Church of Christ, 2012-present)Big Apple (cocktail with sake, 2013)Big Apple Showcase Day (race for New York-breds, 2013-present)Big Apple Awards (New York City public school teachers, 2013-present)The Big Apple Shopping Bazaar (Delray Beach, FL, 2013-present)Big Apple Blizzard (Dairy Queen dessert, 2014)Big Apple Hard Cider (2014-present)La Mela Reintegrata or The Apple Made Whole Again (Central Station, Milan, Italy, 2015-present)Apple Awards (Guides Association of New York City, 2015-present)“The Kid from the Big Apple” (two films, 2015 and 2017)“Big Apple or Die Tryin‘“ (Pee-wee’s Big Holiday film, 2016)“The Girl Who Went To The Big Apple” (Asia’s Next Top Model episode, 2016)“Wow! BoJack and Todd in the Big Apple!” (BoJack Horseman episode, 2016)“The Big Apple” (Strut episode, 2016)Big Apple Shoot Out (horse show event, 2016-present)The Big Apple (restaurant in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2016-present)Big Apple Ball (Donald Trump Presidential Inauguration, 2017)Big Apple Mall (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, 2018-present)“The Big Apple Bites” (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode, 2018)Big Apple of New England (Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, Lancaster, MA, 2019-present)Big Apple Turnover (Daniel Jones nickname on New York Giants, 2019)Big Apple Turnover (Julius Randle nickname on New York Knicks, 2019)“Are there doctors in New York since it’s called the Big Apple?” (2019)“Big Apple” basketball logo (Big Apple Athletics, 2019; Aimé Leon Dore, 2020)Bigger Apple (Manhattan Institute newsletter, 2020-present)Big Apple Sauce (The Sauce episode in New York City, 2020)“Big Apple” on NPR’s “Ask Me Another” (2020)Big Apple cannabis (2020)Big Apple Doughnut (Krispy Kreme donut, 2020)Big Apple Compost (2020-present)“Back in the Big Apple” (The Real Housewives of New York City episode, 2021)“Big Apple” (Tom and Jerry in New York animated episode, 2021)“What’s a Met Gala?”/“A type of apple found in New York. Also why it’s called the Big Apple” (2021)Big Apple (city ornament of Columbia, SC, 2021)“Big Apple” T-shirt by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2021)Big Apple sculpture (Bella Abzug Park and Dante Park, 2021-2022)Big Apple Corner (sign stolen, 2021-2024)The Big Apple (ice cream shake at Forty Deuce in Columbus, OH, 2022)“Big Apple” answer in Jeopardy! game show (2022)Big Apple (act on America’s Got Talent, 2022)Big Apple Sauce (Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner nickname on New York Jets, 2022)“Big Apple, 3 PM” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge video game, 2022)Big Apple Connect (free high-speed internet and basic cable TV, 2022)The Queer Big Apple Corps (marching band, 2022-present)“We’re taking a bite out of the Big Apple tonight” (Blue’s Big City Adventure film, 2022)La Gran Manzana (sculpture opposite Radio City Music Hall, 2022)Gala “Big Apple” mascot (Metro Ink, 2023)Big Apple Pierogi (Veselka Restaurant pierogi, 2023)Big Apple Ballers Stadium (Spider-Man 2 video game, 2023)Meet at the Apple (New York Mets podcast, 2024-)“Big Apple” (painting by Vladimir Kush, 2024)“NY is no longer called the Big Apple. It is now called the Rotten Apple!” (artwork, 2024)“Big Flavor in The Big Apple” (New York Apple Association ad campaign, 2024)Big Apple Village (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1 comic miniseries, 2024)“The Big Apple” (Korean comics or manhwa, 2024)Big Apples (Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team logo, 2024)“Is New York called the Big Apple because everyone living there is fruity?” (2024)“Big Apple” explained (“Countdown” UK game show, 2025)Big Apple (Hozea Massiah, Toronto hip-hop figure, 1971-2025)“The Dead Apple” (hip-hop track by Reason, 2025)Big Apples Fest (fall festival sponsored by Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team, 2025-present)Big Red Apple (red/communist + Big Apple, 2025)Red Apple (red/communist + Big Apple, 2025)Apple Stand (“Big Apple” art exhibit, 2025)Big Apple Triathlon (2026-present)“Big Apple” rap on Sesame Street (2026)LEGO’s New York City—The Big Apple (2026)“Big Apple” design in New York’s “key to the city” (2026)Google censorship of BarryPopik.com, “The Big Apple”“Big Apple” Cohen-Popik Work on Television (?)“Big Apple” Fame and Fortune (?)  “LITTLE APPLE” AND OTHER NICKNAMESIndianappleis & “Move over New York. Apple is our middle name” (Indianapolis, Indiana)Little Apple (Ithaca, New York)Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas)Little Apple (Roosevelt Island, New York City)Little Apple (Toronto, Canada)Little Apple (Yonkers, New York)Mini-Apple or Minneapple (Minneapolis, Minnesota) “BIG APPLE” IN THE MEDIAThe Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), August 13, 1972Daily News (New York, NY), June 20, 1973Daily News (New York, NY), September 11, 1973Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI), May 11, 1975Miami Herald (Miami, FL), May 22, 1975Boston Globe (Boston, MA), December 7, 1975The Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA), April 30, 1978The New York Times (New York, NY), July 5, 1978The New York Times (New York, NY), July 12, 1978The New York Times (New York, NY), July 19, 1978Staten Island Advance (Staten Island, NY), November 12, 1978“Dear Abby” by Abigail Van Buren, September 3, 1982New York Post (New York, NY), May 22, 1986 (GenealogyBank.com)New York Post (New York, NY), May 30, 1986 (GenealogyBank.com)“Dear Abby” by Abigail Van Buren, May 12, 1988“Dear Abby” by Abigail Van Buren, August 2, 1988The New York Times (New York, NY), August 22, 1988The New York Times (New York, NY), February 1, 1989Newsday (New York, NY), April 2, 1992The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY), October 22, 1992 (GenealogyBank.com)Irish America, January/February 1994 (not online)New York Post (New York, NY), October 18, 1995 (GenealogyBank.com)The New York Times (New York, NY), December 6, 1995Newsday (Hempstead, NY), December 7, 1995“Dear Abby” by Abigail Van Buren, January 10, 1997 (with answers from 1988)New York Post (New York, NY), January 30, 1997 (GenealogyBank.com)“Dear Abby” by Abigail Van Buren, February 19, 1997The Word Detective, October 17, 1997New York Amsterdam News (New York, NY), July 30, 1998 (ProQuest)The Straight Dope, September 17, 1999Voice of America, March 24, 2002Gothamist, July 22, 2004The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Ontario), August 14, 2004The New York Times (New York, NY), August 29, 2004The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Ontario), September 4, 2004The New York Times (New York, NY), July 8, 2009Parade, October 2, 2013amNY (New York, NY), April 11, 2014Slate (Lexicon Valley), September 8, 20156sqft (New York, NY), April 13, 2017Untapped Cities (New York City), July 5, 2017AFRO (Baltimore, MD), February 16, 2018The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), September 23, 2018The Wall Street Journal, January 2, 2020Gothamist (New York, NY), January 21, 2020WNYC (New York, NY), January 21, 2020Daily Mail (London, UK), January 22, 2020The Christian Science Monitor, March 12, 2020Harlem Bespoke, November 23, 2020Daily News (New York, NY), May 3, 2021 (Tweeted by NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio,)CBS Mornings, May 8, 2021La Voce di New York, September 10, 2022Fox 5 (New York, NY), January 31, 2024Untapped Cities (New York City), February 16, 2024@100YearsAgoNews, February 18, 2024Diario AS, March 21, 2024WRRV (Hudson Valley, NY), August 14, 2024Apples & People, August 16, 2024PIX11 (New York, NY), September 12, 2024Houston Style Magazine (Houston, TX), May 13, 2025Houston Style Magazine (Houston, TX), May 29, 2025 “BIG APPLE” ON WEBSITESWikipedia—“Big Apple”Wikipedia—“54th Street (Manhattan)”Wiktionary—“Big Apple”New York Public LibraryWorld Wide WordsWord OriginsMental FlossThoughtCo.WorldAtlasSecret NYCGotta Love New YorkMinted NYCClassic New York HistoryNew York City AdvisorNew-York ForeverNYBRISKBig Apple SecretsSparkly Maid NYCRent Own Sell—New YorkVisit New YorkEpicenter NYCMuseum of the City of New York (from 1998)NY.com (from 1999)NewYork.comStreetEasyAmerica ExplainedThe MarginalianToday I Found OutToday I Found Out (video)HowStuffWorksHotBotFlavor365SlaylebrityHistory ChannelBritannicaDictionary.comUrban DictionaryPhrase Finder“BIG APPLE” ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE WIKIPEDIAWikipedia (Armenian)Wikipedia (Bangla/Bengali)Wikipedia (Basque)Wikipedia (Chinese—Traditional)Wikipedia (Croatian)Wikipedia (Dutch)Wikipedia (Estonian)Wikipedia (French)Wikipedia (Georgian)Wikipedia (German)Wikipedia (Indonesian)Wikipedia (Italian)Wikipedia (Japanese)Wikipedia (Korean)Wikipedia (Latvian)Wikipedia (Malayalam)Wikipedia (Norwegian)Wikipedia (Persian)Wikipedia (Portuguese)Wikipedia (Russian)Wikipedia (Spanish)Wikipedia (Turkish)Wikipedia (Ukrainian) New York City, The Big Apple, 2004-07-05T15:43:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/do-you-know-why-americans-call-it-fast-food https://barrypopik.com/blog/do-you-know-why-americans-call-it-fast-food “They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that “fast food” is not healthy food.   The film Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) contained this dialogue:   Chiun: Do you know why Americans call it fast food? [Remo shakes his head “no.”] Chiun: Because it speeds them on the way to the grave. [Chiun laughs at his little joke. Remo doesn’t laugh] Chiun: As I feared; you have no sense of humor.   “They call it fast food because it leads you faster to your grave” was posted on X/Twitter by Ray Stings on June 4, 2015. “It’s called fast food because it speeds you up to your grave” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Transform with Dianna on October 10, 2022. “They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Ayurveda by Curejoy on February 13, 2026.       Wikipedia: Fast food Fast food is a type of mass-produced food designed for commercial resale, with a strong priority placed on speed of service. Fast food is a commercial term, limited to food sold in a restaurant or store with frozen, preheated or precooked ingredients and served in packaging for take-out or takeaway. Fast food was created as a commercial strategy to accommodate large numbers of busy commuters, travelers and wage workers.   IMDb  Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins Quotes Chiun: Do you know why Americans call it fast food? [Remo shakes his head “no.”] Chiun: Because it speeds them on the way to the grave. [Chiun laughs at his little joke. Remo doesn’t laugh] Chiun: As I feared; you have no sense of humor.   X/Twitter Ray Stings @Purba_Ray They call it fast food because it leads you faster to your grave. 2:23 AM · Jun 4, 2015   X/Twitter Daniel J. Brunson @danieljbrunson Do you know why they call it fast food? Because it speeds your way to the grave! 11:02 PM · May 10, 2017   X/Twitter Jeremy Dawe @2231975 You know why they call it fast food? Because it’s the fast way to the grave. 7:53 PM · Sep 2, 2021   X/Twitter Mia Michaels @MiaMichaels77 You know why they call it fast food don’t you? Get you to your grave faster. 3:59 PM · Oct 1, 2021   Facebook Transform with Dianna October 10, 2022 at 3:09 PM · I’m probably going to hit a nerve with this! But they call it “fast food” for a reason! Keep eating it and you’ll get to the grave faster! Your body does not know what to do with non food ingredients so it makes you sick faster!! #themoreyouknow #thingsivelearned #transformwithDianna #askmehow (“It’s called fast food because it speeds you up to your grave” is shown on an image.—ed.)   Facebook Ayurveda by Curejoy February 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM · Fast food has long been associated with convenience, but it’s important to consider the long-term consequences of regular consumption. The image of fast food being linked to a grave is a stark reminder that these foods can lead to serious health conditions over time, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. When we opt for fast food, we’re compromising our future health for immediate convenience. (“They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” is shown on an image.—ed.)   X/Twitter ✨💫Cali💫✨ @505Cali2 They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster (This is also shown on an image.—ed.) 10:56 AM · May 2, 2026   Bluesky Khaki ‪@khaki.dog‬ “Do you know why they call it “fast food”? Because it runs you faster to the grave, ah-ha-ha” *judo chop* I can quote this from memory. I don’t know my husband’s phone number. From Remo Williams : The Adventure Begins.—ed.) 11:01 AM · May 23, 2026   X/Twitter Mr. Nobody @MmisterNobody They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster 12:28 PM · Jul 13, 2026 New York City, Food/Drink, Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores, 2026-07-13T18:58:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/its-called-fast-food-because-it-speeds-you-up-to-your-grave https://barrypopik.com/blog/its-called-fast-food-because-it-speeds-you-up-to-your-grave “They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that “fast food” is not healthy food.   The film Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) contained this dialogue:   Chiun: Do you know why Americans call it fast food? [Remo shakes his head “no.”] Chiun: Because it speeds them on the way to the grave. [Chiun laughs at his little joke. Remo doesn’t laugh] Chiun: As I feared; you have no sense of humor.   “They call it fast food because it leads you faster to your grave” was posted on X/Twitter by Ray Stings on June 4, 2015. “It’s called fast food because it speeds you up to your grave” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Transform with Dianna on October 10, 2022. “They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Ayurveda by Curejoy on February 13, 2026.       Wikipedia: Fast food Fast food is a type of mass-produced food designed for commercial resale, with a strong priority placed on speed of service. Fast food is a commercial term, limited to food sold in a restaurant or store with frozen, preheated or precooked ingredients and served in packaging for take-out or takeaway. Fast food was created as a commercial strategy to accommodate large numbers of busy commuters, travelers and wage workers.   IMDb  Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins Quotes Chiun: Do you know why Americans call it fast food? [Remo shakes his head “no.”] Chiun: Because it speeds them on the way to the grave. [Chiun laughs at his little joke. Remo doesn’t laugh] Chiun: As I feared; you have no sense of humor.   X/Twitter Ray Stings @Purba_Ray They call it fast food because it leads you faster to your grave. 2:23 AM · Jun 4, 2015   X/Twitter Daniel J. Brunson @danieljbrunson Do you know why they call it fast food? Because it speeds your way to the grave! 11:02 PM · May 10, 2017   X/Twitter Jeremy Dawe @2231975 You know why they call it fast food? Because it’s the fast way to the grave. 7:53 PM · Sep 2, 2021   X/Twitter Mia Michaels @MiaMichaels77 You know why they call it fast food don’t you? Get you to your grave faster. 3:59 PM · Oct 1, 2021   Facebook Transform with Dianna October 10, 2022 at 3:09 PM · I’m probably going to hit a nerve with this! But they call it “fast food” for a reason! Keep eating it and you’ll get to the grave faster! Your body does not know what to do with non food ingredients so it makes you sick faster!! #themoreyouknow #thingsivelearned #transformwithDianna #askmehow (“It’s called fast food because it speeds you up to your grave” is shown on an image.—ed.)   Facebook Ayurveda by Curejoy February 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM · Fast food has long been associated with convenience, but it’s important to consider the long-term consequences of regular consumption. The image of fast food being linked to a grave is a stark reminder that these foods can lead to serious health conditions over time, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. When we opt for fast food, we’re compromising our future health for immediate convenience. (“They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” is shown on an image.—ed.)   X/Twitter ✨💫Cali💫✨ @505Cali2 They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster (This is also shown on an image.—ed.) 10:56 AM · May 2, 2026   Bluesky Khaki ‪@khaki.dog‬ “Do you know why they call it “fast food”? Because it runs you faster to the grave, ah-ha-ha” *judo chop* I can quote this from memory. I don’t know my husband’s phone number. From Remo Williams : The Adventure Begins.—ed.) 11:01 AM · May 23, 2026   X/Twitter Mr. Nobody @MmisterNobody They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster 12:28 PM · Jul 13, 2026 New York City, Food/Drink, Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores, 2026-07-13T18:57:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/they-call-it-fast-food-because-it-gets-you-to-the-grave-faster https://barrypopik.com/blog/they-call-it-fast-food-because-it-gets-you-to-the-grave-faster “They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that “fast food” is not healthy food.   The film Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) contained this dialogue:   Chiun: Do you know why Americans call it fast food? [Remo shakes his head “no.”] Chiun: Because it speeds them on the way to the grave. [Chiun laughs at his little joke. Remo doesn’t laugh] Chiun: As I feared; you have no sense of humor.   “They call it fast food because it leads you faster to your grave” was posted on X/Twitter by Ray Stings on June 4, 2015. “It’s called fast food because it speeds you up to your grave” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Transform with Dianna on October 10, 2022. “They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by Ayurveda by Curejoy on February 13, 2026.       Wikipedia: Fast food Fast food is a type of mass-produced food designed for commercial resale, with a strong priority placed on speed of service. Fast food is a commercial term, limited to food sold in a restaurant or store with frozen, preheated or precooked ingredients and served in packaging for take-out or takeaway. Fast food was created as a commercial strategy to accommodate large numbers of busy commuters, travelers and wage workers.   IMDb  Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins Quotes Chiun: Do you know why Americans call it fast food? [Remo shakes his head “no.”] Chiun: Because it speeds them on the way to the grave. [Chiun laughs at his little joke. Remo doesn’t laugh] Chiun: As I feared; you have no sense of humor.   X/Twitter Ray Stings @Purba_Ray They call it fast food because it leads you faster to your grave. 2:23 AM · Jun 4, 2015   X/Twitter Daniel J. Brunson @danieljbrunson Do you know why they call it fast food? Because it speeds your way to the grave! 11:02 PM · May 10, 2017   X/Twitter Jeremy Dawe @2231975 You know why they call it fast food? Because it’s the fast way to the grave. 7:53 PM · Sep 2, 2021   X/Twitter Mia Michaels @MiaMichaels77 You know why they call it fast food don’t you? Get you to your grave faster. 3:59 PM · Oct 1, 2021   Facebook Transform with Dianna October 10, 2022 at 3:09 PM · I’m probably going to hit a nerve with this! But they call it “fast food” for a reason! Keep eating it and you’ll get to the grave faster! Your body does not know what to do with non food ingredients so it makes you sick faster!! #themoreyouknow #thingsivelearned #transformwithDianna #askmehow (“It’s called fast food because it speeds you up to your grave” is shown on an image.—ed.)   Facebook Ayurveda by Curejoy February 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM · Fast food has long been associated with convenience, but it’s important to consider the long-term consequences of regular consumption. The image of fast food being linked to a grave is a stark reminder that these foods can lead to serious health conditions over time, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. When we opt for fast food, we’re compromising our future health for immediate convenience. (“They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster” is shown on an image.—ed.)   X/Twitter ✨💫Cali💫✨ @505Cali2 They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster (This is also shown on an image.—ed.) 10:56 AM · May 2, 2026   Bluesky Khaki ‪@khaki.dog‬ “Do you know why they call it “fast food”? Because it runs you faster to the grave, ah-ha-ha” *judo chop* I can quote this from memory. I don’t know my husband’s phone number. From Remo Williams : The Adventure Begins.—ed.) 11:01 AM · May 23, 2026   X/Twitter Mr. Nobody @MmisterNobody They call it fast food because it gets you to the grave faster 12:28 PM · Jul 13, 2026 New York City, Food/Drink, Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores, 2026-07-13T17:14:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/apparently-good-morning-fellow-prisoners-is-not-considered https://barrypopik.com/blog/apparently-good-morning-fellow-prisoners-is-not-considered “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” is a jocular work saying that has been printed on many images.   “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning” was posted on Facebook by Funny Work Memes on May 18, 2026, and this received over 15,400 likes. “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” was posted on Instagram by imjustacorporategirl on May 20, 2026, and this received over 103,600 likes. “Apparently, ‘Good morning, fellow prisoners’ is not considered a positive way to start the shift” was posted on Facebook by Work Memes · Anthony Black on May 26, 2026.         Facebook Funny Work Memes May 18, 2026 at 7:15 AM · Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning.   Threads bigearlt 05/18/26 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning.   Instagram imjustacorporategirl May 20, 2026 Well I mean if the shoe fits…😏😂 (“Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” is shown on an image.—ed.)   Facebook More Crazy Stuff May 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM · Apparently, “Good morning, inmates” isn’t the right way to greet your coworkers on a Monday… 🙄 𝓜𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓒𝓻𝓪𝔃𝔂 𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓯𝓯   Facebook Work Memes · Anthony Black · May 26, 2026 at 8:13 AM · Apparently, “Good morning, fellow prisoners” is not considered a positive way to start the shift.   Threads 217brandy 06/15/26 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning….. 🤷🏼‍♀️😆🤣😂   Facebook Forklift Fight Club · Corey RBussiere · June 30, 2026 at 7:48 AM · Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning.   X/Twitter Scott Sala @ScottSala3 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not a socially acceptable way to greet your co-workers in the morning. 9:31 AM · Jul 3, 2026   X/Twitter Stephanie @Movie_Steph Apparently, “What’s up inmates?”  is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning. 8:22 AM · Jul 6, 2026 New York City, Work/Businesses, 2026-07-13T08:39:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/apparently-whats-up-inmates1 https://barrypopik.com/blog/apparently-whats-up-inmates1 “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” is a jocular work saying that has been printed on many images.   “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning” was posted on Facebook by Funny Work Memes on May 18, 2026, and this received over 15,400 likes. “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” was posted on Instagram by imjustacorporategirl on May 20, 2026, and this received over 103,600 likes. “Apparently, ‘Good morning, fellow prisoners’ is not considered a positive way to start the shift” was posted on Facebook by Work Memes · Anthony Black on May 26, 2026.         Facebook Funny Work Memes May 18, 2026 at 7:15 AM · Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning.   Threads bigearlt 05/18/26 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning.   Instagram imjustacorporategirl May 20, 2026 Well I mean if the shoe fits…😏😂 (“Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” is shown on an image.—ed.)   Facebook More Crazy Stuff May 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM · Apparently, “Good morning, inmates” isn’t the right way to greet your coworkers on a Monday… 🙄 𝓜𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓒𝓻𝓪𝔃𝔂 𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓯𝓯   Facebook Work Memes · Anthony Black · May 26, 2026 at 8:13 AM · Apparently, “Good morning, fellow prisoners” is not considered a positive way to start the shift.   Threads 217brandy 06/15/26 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning….. 🤷🏼‍♀️😆🤣😂   Facebook Forklift Fight Club · Corey RBussiere · June 30, 2026 at 7:48 AM · Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning.   X/Twitter Scott Sala @ScottSala3 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not a socially acceptable way to greet your co-workers in the morning. 9:31 AM · Jul 3, 2026   X/Twitter Stephanie @Movie_Steph Apparently, “What’s up inmates?”  is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning. 8:22 AM · Jul 6, 2026 New York City, Work/Businesses, 2026-07-13T08:38:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/apparently-whats-up-inmates https://barrypopik.com/blog/apparently-whats-up-inmates “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” is a jocular work saying that has been printed on many images.   “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning” was posted on Facebook by Funny Work Memes on May 18, 2026, and this received over 15,400 likes. “Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” was posted on Instagram by imjustacorporategirl on May 20, 2026, and this received over 103,600 likes. “Apparently, ‘Good morning, fellow prisoners’ is not considered a positive way to start the shift” was posted on Facebook by Work Memes · Anthony Black on May 26, 2026.         Facebook Funny Work Memes May 18, 2026 at 7:15 AM · Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning.   Threads bigearlt 05/18/26 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers on a Monday morning.   Instagram imjustacorporategirl May 20, 2026 Well I mean if the shoe fits…😏😂 (“Apparently, ‘What’s up, inmates?’ is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning” is shown on an image.—ed.)   Facebook More Crazy Stuff May 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM · Apparently, “Good morning, inmates” isn’t the right way to greet your coworkers on a Monday… 🙄 𝓜𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓒𝓻𝓪𝔃𝔂 𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓯𝓯   Facebook Work Memes · Anthony Black · May 26, 2026 at 8:13 AM · Apparently, “Good morning, fellow prisoners” is not considered a positive way to start the shift.   Threads 217brandy 06/15/26 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning….. 🤷🏼‍♀️😆🤣😂   Facebook Forklift Fight Club · Corey RBussiere · June 30, 2026 at 7:48 AM · Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning.   X/Twitter Scott Sala @ScottSala3 Apparently, “What’s up, inmates?” is not a socially acceptable way to greet your co-workers in the morning. 9:31 AM · Jul 3, 2026   X/Twitter Stephanie @Movie_Steph Apparently, “What’s up inmates?”  is not an acceptable way to greet your coworkers in the morning. 8:22 AM · Jul 6, 2026 New York City, Work/Businesses, 2026-07-13T07:23:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/soup-is-called-that-bc-when-u-eat-it-ur-so-up https://barrypopik.com/blog/soup-is-called-that-bc-when-u-eat-it-ur-so-up “Soup,” as some have pointed out, can be broken into the two words “so up.”   “New AP style rules (...) soup is now spelled so-up” was posted on X/Twitter by David Klinger on August 29, 2017. “‘soup’ is perfectly named because when i’m eating soup i’m ‘so up’ (is this anything)” was posted on X/Twitter by kath⛅️ on September 8, 2025. “soup is called that bc when u eat it ur so up” was posted on X/Twitter by kanoa on July 7, 2026, and this received over 49,000 likes.       X/Twitter David Klinger @hotline_kling New AP style rules •add “in his Sunday best” after every male name • end editorials with ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ • soup is now spelled so-up 10:17 PM · Aug 29, 2017   X/Twitter em @jeanjacket03 i find it funny how soup is spelled so-up but pronounced completely different 12:39 AM · Aug 2, 2020   X/Twitter kath⛅️ @greywaren68 “soup” is perfectly named because when i’m eating soup i’m “so up” (is this anything) 5:23 PM · Sep 8, 2025   X/Twitter kanoa @heelbitee soup is called that bc when u eat it ur so up 1:20 PM · Jul 7, 2026   Facebook CurttiMagurtti July 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM · soup is called that bc when u eat it ur so up   Facebook Kait Cos July 8, 2026 at 1:07 PM · soup is called that bc when u eat it ur so up   Facebook Brenna Laru July 8, 2026 at 2:44 PM soup is called that bcuz when you eat it you’re so up   X/Twitter Eddie🗽 @eddieszzn soup is called that bc when u eat it ur so up 1:46 AM · Jul 9, 2026   X/Twitter Joshua🦥 @joshlinquam Soup is great cause it means your so up 😊 6:42 AM · Jul 11, 2026 New York City, Food/Drink, 2026-07-13T03:56:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/first-day-of-my-levitation-course-today https://barrypopik.com/blog/first-day-of-my-levitation-course-today Most people want to go to the top of the class, but academically, not literally. Of course, there’s a joke.   “funnyoneliners: First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class! RT @pauleggleston” was posted on Facebook by Twitter.com/NileshChheda on January 8, 2012. “First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class!” was posted on X/Twitter by Paul Eggleston on July 7, 2013.       Facebook Twitter.com/NileshChheda January 8, 2012 at 9:25 AM · funnyoneliners: First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class! RT @pauleggleston   Facebook Gordon Bathgate January 10, 2013 at 3:38 PM · First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class.   X/Twitter Paul Eggleston @pauleggleston First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class! 5:30 PM · Jul 7, 2013   X/Twitter Paul Eggleston @pauleggleston First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class. 5:00 PM · Feb 20, 2015   X/Twitter Pete Southcombe @mr_pastry First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class. 7:53 AM · Jul 14, 2015     X/Twitter Jokes UK 🔞 @jokesuk First day of my levitation course today… I went straight to the top of the class! 7:26 AM · Jan 10, 2021   Bluesky Paul Eggleston ‪@pauleggleston.bsky.social‬ First day of my levitation course today, and I went straight to the top of the class. 4:26 PM · May 14, 2025   X/Twitter Robert Wilkinson @robertwlk It was the first day of my levitation course yesterday. I went straight to the top of the class. 7:54 AM · Jul 10, 2026 New York City, Education/Schools, 2026-07-12T08:40:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-only-people-who-stay-well-are-those-who-stay-well-away-from-doctors https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-only-people-who-stay-well-are-those-who-stay-well-away-from-doctors   https://x.com/AwakenTFallen/status/2075939066609033695”>X/Twitter 🐦‍⬛Awaken the fallen🐦‍⬛ @AwakenTFallen Grand rising REDRUM 🌞 🐦‍⬛ (“The ONLY people who stay well are those who stay well away from doctors” is shown on an image.—ed.) 9:43 AM · Jul 11, 2026 New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, 2026-07-12T01:55:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/america-is-cosplaying-1776-while-walking-straight-into-1984 https://barrypopik.com/blog/america-is-cosplaying-1776-while-walking-straight-into-1984 “America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984” is a saying that has been printed on several images. “1984” refers to George Orwell’s novel, 1984, that depicts a big, powerful government and a loss of personal liberty. “1776” refers to the year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.   The saying means that America is going through the motions of “1776” (such as with July 4th Independence Day events), but is essentially doing nothing about “1984”-type totalitarian government. “America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984.—Escanor” was posted on X/Twitter by Sir Escanor (𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳) on August 15, 2025.   “The answer to 1984 is 1776” is a related saying.     X/Twitter Sir Escanor (𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳) @EscanorReloaded America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984. —Escanor (This is also shown on an image.—ed.) 2:22 AM · Aug 15, 2025   X/Twitter The Dollar Vigilante @DollarVigilante America Is Cosplaying 1776 While Walking Straight into 1984 And Everyone Is Getting Played #TrumpPutinSummit 10:38 AM · Aug 20, 2025   Activist Post August 29, 2025 America Is Cosplaying 1776 While Walking Straight into 1984 And Everyone Is Getting Played Editor Podcasts Jeff Berwick The Dollar Vigilante America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984 and everybody is clapping like seals, begging for more bread and circus while the house burns down around them.     X/Twitter Sir Escanor (𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳) @EscanorReloaded America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984. —Escanor (This is also shown on an image.—ed.) 8:16 PM · Feb 17, 2026   Bluesky Fagmedia Organisation ‪@fagmedia.bsky.social‬ America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984! {America is cosplaying 1776 while walking straight into 1984! ALT} 6:01 AM · Jul 1, 2026 New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, 2026-07-11T09:08:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-world-is-changed-by-your-example-not-by-your-opinion https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-world-is-changed-by-your-example-not-by-your-opinion “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that your example (your actions) is more important that your opinion (your words).   “RT @paulocoelho: The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion” was posted on X/Twitter by C.J. Wilson (and others) on June 2, 2012. The original tweet is no longer available. Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist.   “@thatguySLATER: The world is changed by your example, not your opinion”—without the second “by”—was posted on X/Twitter by Richard Poon on April 23, 2013.     Wikipedia: Paulo Coelho Paulo Coelho de Souza (/ˈkwɛl.juː, kuˈɛl.juː, -joʊ/ KWEL-yoo, koo-EL-yoo, -⁠yoh, Portuguese: [ˈpawlu kuˈeʎu]; born 24 August 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. He has been a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002. His 1988 novel The Alchemist is an international best-seller.       X/Twitter C.J. Wilson @str8edgeracer #pma RT @paulocoelho: The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion 3:49 PM · Jun 2, 2012   X/Twitter Sean Sweeney @seandsweeney #Truth. Or as my dad used to say, “Less talk, more action.” @paulocoelho: The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion 4:00 PM · Jun 2, 2012   X/Twitter Essence Atkins @essencesays This! RT @paulocoelho: The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion 5:57 PM · Jun 2, 2012   Facebook Bernadette Lynn July 7, 2012 at 4:37 PM · “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” ~P. Coelho   X/Twitter Richard Poon @RichardPoonPh “@thatguySLATER: The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.” lavveeettt!!!! 6:31 AM · Apr 23, 2013   Google Groups: bloemlug Re: Open Forum Tonight Graham R Timmins Sep 2, 2013, 7:46:13 AM (...) The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion! #livebold   Google Groups: your_daily_reprieve Your Daily Reprieve 09.14.13 Tom Murphy Sep 14, 2013, 5:12:07 AM Your Daily Reprieve for Saturday September 14,  2013 From Stuart, Florida “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” ~Paulo Coelho New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, 2026-07-11T07:51:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/big-allah https://barrypopik.com/blog/big-allah Zohran Mamdani became New York City’s first Muslim mayor when he took office in 2026. Conservative political commentator Mark Steyn wrote the article “Big Apple, Big Allah” on October 24, 2025, before Mamdani was elected. “Migrant Mamdani Jr is going to turn the Big Apple into the Big Allah” was posted on X/Twitter by Patrick Russell on October 26, 2025.   In July 2026, Mamdani’s administration released the map “New York City Immigrant Enclaves,” and some people were furious that Italians (“Little Italy”) and Irish (“Little Ireland”) were left off the map. American stand-up comedian and television personality Jimmy Failla said on the Fox News talk show The Five on July 9, 2026:   “He (Mayor Mamdani—ed.) also went after the Irish, okay, and seems to be fancying the map as if New York is no longer the Big Apple. It’s the Big Allah. It seems antagonistic on purpose and it burns my—I’m a little upset.”       X/Twitter Mark Steyn @MarkSteynOnline Big Apple, Big Allah From steynonline.com 9:45 AM · Oct 24, 2025   X/Twitter Patrick Russell @PatrickNRussell Migrant Mamdani Jr is going to turn the Big Apple into the Big Allah. 4:48 PM · Oct 26, 2025   Jewish World Review Big Apple, Big Allah By Mark Steyn Published Oct. 27, 2025 I can’t decide whether this is the sort of ad you run when your internals show you’re done and you’ve got nothing to lose, or when it’s way closer than anyone ever expected and just needs one extra push: (“BIG APPLE, BIG ALLAH” is written on Zohran Mamdani’s shirt.—ed.)   New York (NY) Post Mayor Mamdani’s map of NYC immigrant neighborhoods sparks outrage for ignoring Little Italy By Matthew Fischetti, Carl Campanile and Natalie O’Neill Published July 8, 2026 Updated July 8, 2026, 7:58 p.m. ET Fuhgeddaboudit!   Mayor Zohran Mamdani caught some Italian heat Wednesday after releasing a map of the Big Apple’s ethnic enclaves that includes places like Little Palestine — but ignores historic Little Italy and other notable Irish and Jewish immigrant nabes.   The map, titled “New York City Immigrant Enclaves,” highlights 30 areas across the five boroughs, ranging from Koreatown in Manhattan to Little Pakistan in Brooklyn and Little Yemen in The Bronx.   X/Twitter Lifelong Texas Republican @Fightforfree774 JIMMY FAILLA- NYC FROM THE BIG APPLE TO THE BIG ALLAH 7:30 PM · Jul 9, 2026 from Eagle Lake, TX   X/Twitter Wall Street Apes @WallStreetApes Jimmy Failla says Zohran Mamdani intentionally removed Little Italy from the New York City “Immigrant Enclaves” map “Seems to be fancying the map as if New York is no longer the Big Apple, it’s the Big Allah” There has been no announcement by City Hall in NYC to specifically fix this map and add Little Italy, I’ve verified it City Hall has stated they plan to add more areas, but there has been no announcement to fix this This is no shock to anyone paying attention (Video from “The Five” on the Fox News network is shown. 10:13 PM · Jul 9, 2026   X/Twitter James Leonard 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 @jimleonardbklyn The Italians and the Irish built New York City, not third world subhuman Islamists from Uganda and these other hellholes.  I always knew Zohran Mamdani was and is a piece of shit, but this just takes it to another level as he turns the big apple into the big Allah 🤮🤢🤮🤢... Quote The Italian American Civil Rights League @TheIACRL Jul 8 Zohran Mamdani wants to ERASE Italian Americans. First, he denied our permit for Unity Day 2026. Now, he is excluding Little Italy as a recognized location all together on the map. Italian Americans BUILT NEW YORK CITY. Not third world Ugandans, We stand AGAINST COMMUNISTS! 1:00 AM · Jul 10, 2026 New York City, Nicknames/Slogans, 2026-07-10T07:20:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-big-apple-gets-a-disproportionate-share-of-the-national-sap https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-big-apple-gets-a-disproportionate-share-of-the-national-sap A 1909 citation by Harper’s editor Edward Sandford Martin (1856-1939) is often given as the first citation of “the Big Apple” to mean New York City. It probably shouldn’t be mentioned.  It occurs in a very long, metaphoric passage. In the same article, Martin actually calls New York City other things, such as the “frontier city,” a “museum,” and “a very tall horse.” I’ve checked Martin’s many other works without finding another “big apple.”  Here are selections from The Wayfarer in New York (New York, NY: Macmillan, 1909):  Pp. xiv-xv:  But at home Kansas is apt to see in New York a greedy city, wrapped up in itself, incredulous of western wisdom, inhospitable to “broad American ideas,” perched on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and careless of the great land behind it except as a vast productive area from which it draws endless wealth.  New York is merely one of the fruits of that great tree whose roots go down in the Mississippi Valley, and whose branches spread from one ocean to the other, but the tree has no great degree of affection for its fruit.  It inclines to think that the big apple gets a disproportionate share of the national sap.  It is disturbed by the enormous drawing power of a metropolis which constantly attracts to itself wealth and its possessors from all the lesser centers of the land. Pg. xi (first line):  NEW YORK is a frontier city situated about halfway between San Francisco and London. Pg. xxi:  An important fraction of the annual immigration that lands at Ellis Island clings to New York and gets no farther.  Therein lies her title to be called a frontier city… Pg. xxi:  Ethnologically, as every one knows, New York is a museum.  Pg. xxii:  To ride a tall horse does not make a man great, but it may make him look great and even feel great.  New York is a very tall horse, a nd many who ride her look bigger and feel bigger for that exploit.      This 1909 citation was recorded in the 1980s by a librarian in the New-York Historical Society. It would be a large stretch to say that Edward Martin called New York City “the Big Apple” even in this essay, since so many other metaphors are used.  “Big Apple” doesn’t show up in Martin’s work again.“The Great Big Red Apple that grows in the very top of the tree” is a similar New York city metaphor that was used in 1917. Our next positive use of “Big Apple” is from track writer John J. Fitz Gerald in the 1920s, who used the term consistently in his horse racing columns. He admitted hearing the term first in New Orleans.  For all of these reasons, the Historical Dictionary of American Slang and other scholars record, but discount, this use. New York City, The Big Apple, Pre-1920s, 2026-07-06T16:48:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-great-big-red-apple-that-grows-in-the-very-top-of-the-tree-1917 https://barrypopik.com/blog/the-great-big-red-apple-that-grows-in-the-very-top-of-the-tree-1917 The moniker of “Land of the Big Red Apple” (for apple-growing regions) and the saying of “Big apples are top of the barrel/tree” were very popular in the 1900s and 1910s. Peter Morris of the American Dialect Society listserv, in July 2026, found the New York City market described as “The Great Big Red Apple that grows in the very Top of the Tree” in Associated Advertising in June 1917.   “New York is merely one of the fruits of that great tree whose roots go down in the Mississippi Valley, and whose branches spread from one ocean to the other, but the tree has no great degree of affection for its fruit.  It inclines to think that the big apple gets a disproportionate share of the national sap” is an earlier “big apple” metaphor that was printed in the book The Wayfarer in New York (1909) by Edward Sandford Martin (1856-1939).   New York City would not be consistently called the “Big Apple” until track writer John J. Fitz Gerald made this his catch phrase in the New York (NY) Morning Telegraph in the 1920s, but earlier metaphors are worth recording.     Google Books June 1917, Associated Advertising, p. 79 “The Great Big Red Apple that grows in the very Top of the Tree”   In this graphic sentence, Mr. P. S. Florea, Secretary of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World, described the City of New York and its position in the United States market, for the American manufacturer. Said Mr. Florea:   “You men in New York City, who know the New York market, do not appreciate the timidity with which some of the otherwise well-informed business men, in other sections of the country, look upon the New York market.   “To them it is like A GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL RED APPLE; but an apple that grows IN THE VERY TOP OF THE TREE. It looks far away and hard to reach, and they need someone familiar with that market, to tell them HOW TO CLIMB THE TREE and reap the harvest of rich fruit that looks so inviting.” New York City, The Big Apple, 1920s: John J. Fitz Gerald and the N.Y. Morning Telegraph, 2026-07-06T15:17:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/walked-outside-and-the-heat-slapped-me-in-the-face-like-i-owed-it-money https://barrypopik.com/blog/walked-outside-and-the-heat-slapped-me-in-the-face-like-i-owed-it-money Extreme heat can feel like a brutal slap in the face—“like I owed it money,” as many people have said.   “when i step outside the heat slapped me in the face like i stole somethin” was posted on Facebook by Bassey Offiong on July 7, 2010. “Man tell me, this heat slapped me around like a $2 hooker…lol” was posted on Facebook by Gregory Davidson on July 21, 2011.   “This heat is so DISRESPECTFUL!!! I walked outside it it slapped me in the face like I owed it money! 😓😲😩😩” was posted on Facebook by Stephanie Blake on August 7, 2016. “Just got off work. This is bullshit. The heat just slapped me in the face like I owed it money” was posted on Facebook by Janiece Strickland on July 19, 2019. “Walked outside and the heat slapped me in the face like I owed it money” was posted on X/Twitter by Social Outcast on July 1, 2026.           Facebook Bassey Offiong July 7, 2010 at 1:36 PM · y when i step outside the heat slapped me in the face like i stole somethin…smh @ da heat         Facebook Gregory Davidson July 21, 2011 at 6:43 PM · Man tell me, this heat slapped me around like a $2 hooker…lol   Facebook Carter Victoria Scott Pennington June 30, 2012 at 4:13 PM · When I walked out side, it felt like the heat just slapped me in the face!   Facebook Stephanie Blake August 7, 2016 · This heat is so DISRESPECTFUL!!! I walked outside it it slapped me in the face like I owed it money! 😓😲😩😩         Facebook  Janiece Strickland July 19, 2019 at 8:34 PM · Just got off work. This is bullshit. The heat just slapped me in the face like I owed it money.   Facebook Treasure Valley Weather HQ May 31, 2025 at 5"09 PM · Anyone get slapped by the heat today like you owed it money? 😆   X/Twitter Brian Allen @allenanalysis Just landed in Nevada and it had NO business being this hot. Unreal. I stepped off the plane and the heat slapped me like I owed it money. 7:23 PM · Jun 29, 2025   Facebook Sassy Silver Sisters July 16, 2025 at 3:25 PM · It’s so hot! I opened the door and the heat slapped me like I owed it money!     Bluesky Imma Potato 🥔 ‪@tvtater.bsky.social‬ I went outside to get the mail and the heat slapped me like I owed it money. And this isn’t even the hottest day. It will be 100F when I have to go see the doctor next week. I’m thinking of rescheduling. 1:25 PM · Jul 24, 2025   X/Twitter Southern Class @mykindheart1 I just opened the door and the heat slapped me like I owed it money!! Definitely the second Summer has made its arrival!! Geez! 3:19 PM · Aug 29, 2025   Threads coolcatwoman 06/12/26 The Old Pueblo is beautiful, however, today I went outside, stepped into natures oven and I feel like 99° is inaccurate! That sun/heat slapped me in the face like I owed the fucker money!!! Came inside red from its handprint! Iykyk   Facebook Jessica Hickey June 30, 2026 at 12:40 PM: · I just read something that said “I opened my front door and the heat slapped me like I owed it money” and tbh they weren’t wrong. It’s HOT outside.   X/Twitter Social Outcast @SocialOutcast82 Walked outside and the heat slapped me in the face like I owed it money. 3:46 PM · Jul 1, 2026   X/Twitter 🔮🪬goddess kay FINDOM🪬🔮 @goddesskay30 This heat really slapped me in the face like I owed it money I ain’t built for this! 4:07 PM · Jul 1, 2026   X/Twitter Levi Carter @LeviCalebCarter CALLER: THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. I opened my front door and the heat slapped me like I owed it money. My flip-flops melted into the driveway. I’m barefoot and spiritually defeated. DISPATCH: …Sir— 3:44 AM · Jul 2, 2026 New York City, Time/Weather, 2026-07-03T08:45:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/we-look-forward-to-the-time-when-the-power-of-love https://barrypopik.com/blog/we-look-forward-to-the-time-when-the-power-of-love On July 1, 2026, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City and displayed a banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Similar sayings have been credited to British statesman William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) and to American guitarist and songwriter Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), but it’s uncertain if either of them said it.            “A good deal is said of the power of love, but it is not nearly so potent in the affairs of men and women as the love of power” was printed in the Boston (MA) Evening Transcript on March 19, 1888. “‘We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then our world will know the blessings of Peace.’—Gladstone” was printed in the Trenton (NJ) Evening Times on March 22, 1949. “Civilization Will Really Begin When the Power of Love Replaces the Love of Power” was printed in an editorial cartoon in the Atlanta (GA) Journal on November 3, 1971.“Debbie Lefood, a Castle Park junior—(...) I feel that when the power of love overcomes the love of power, then shall the world know peace” was printed in the Union Tribune (San Diego, CA) on November 29, 1966. “‘When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.’ Author unknown” was posted on the newsgroup soc.culture.thai on April 29, 1994. “‘Peace will come only when the power of love overcomes the love of power.’ -Jimi Hendrix” was posted on the newsgroup rec.music.phish on November 29, 1995.Wikiquote: Jimi HendrixJames Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix (27 November 1942 – 18 September 1970), born Johnny Allen Hendrix, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music; and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.(...)DisputedWhen the power of love overcomes love of power the world will know peace.This quote has been attributed to Hendrix on the internet, and is flatly denied to have ever been said by him, without presenting any evidence as to why, beyond such unsupported, derisive and denigrative statements such as the author rants about others making in “WHAT HENDRIX NEVER SAID : They Don’t Want to Know What He Really Said and Demand a Slacker Fantasy Instead” (22 March 2010) by Michael Fairchild, at rockprophecy.com. Whether or not he ever spoke them, they are very similar to those reportedly of British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, quoted in The Forbes Book of Business Quotations (1997) edited by Edward C. Goodman and Ted Goodman, p. 639: “We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” A similar quotation he provides of Sri Chinmoy predates any currently located source of either the Hendrix or Gladstone attributions, yet he accuses Chinmoy of simple plagiarism of Gladstone (or “Gladwell” at one point). From Chinmoy’s book My Heart Shall Give A Oneness-Feast (1993) he quotes: “My books, they all have only one message: the heart’s Power Of Love must replace the mind’s Love Of Power. If I have the Power Of Love, then I shall claim the whole World as my own … World Peace can be achieved when the Power Of Love replaces the Love Of Power.” An even earlier statement of Chinmoy is found in Meditations: Food For The Soul (1970): “When the power of love replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God.”Wikiquote: Sri ChinmoySri Chinmoy (27 August 1931 – 11 October 2007) was a spiritual teacher, poet, humanitarian, musician and athlete. Born in Bengal, India, at age of 11 he moved to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram before moving to New York, in 1964.   Meditations: Food For The Soul (1970)When the power of love replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God.January 20Variant: When the power of love divinely replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God. Source: Sri Chinmoy (1971): My rose petals: the master’s extemporaneous talks in Europe, Sri Chinmoy Centre, p. 31. Variants: My books, they all have only one message: the heart’s Power Of Love must replace the mind’s Love Of Power. If I have the Power Of Love, then I shall claim the whole World as my own … World Peace can be achieved when the Power Of Love replaces the Love Of Power.Cited to Chinmoy’s book My Heart Shall Give A Oneness-Feast (1993)In The Forbes Book of Business Quotations (1997) edited by Edward C. Goodman and Ted Goodman, p. 639 a similar statement has become attributed to William Ewart Gladstone, and is also cited in “The National Elementary School Principal” Vol 28 published in 1948: “We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” A similar statement has also become attributed to Jimi Hendrix, though he could have been quoting or paraphrasing Chinmoy, or conceivably Gladstone: “When the power of love overcomes love of power the world will know peace.”        Newspapers.com19 March 1888, Boston (MA) Evening Transcript, “Facts and Fancies,” pg. 3, col. 1:A good deal is said of the power of love, but it is not nearly so potent in the affairs of men and women as the love of power.Newspapers.com22 March 1949, Trenton (NJ) Evening Times, “Quotable Quotes,” pg. 14, col. 5:“We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then our world will know the blessings of Peace.”—Gladstone.Newspapers.com19 May 1950, The Daily Journal-Gazette and Commercial-Star (Mattoon, IL), pg. 9, col. 6:“We shall know the blessings of Peace when the power of Love replaces the Love of Power.”—GladstoneNewspapers.com26 October 1956, The Journal-Tribune (Marysville, OH), pg. 8, col. 8:We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power.  Then will our world know the blessings of peace.—Gladstone.  Newspapers.com3 July 1958, Jackson (TN) Sun, pg. 10, col. 1 ad:Bill Sez—We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. WILL S. HALLGENERAL INSURANCE   New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, 2026-07-02T22:21:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/civilization-will-really-begin-when-the-power-of-love https://barrypopik.com/blog/civilization-will-really-begin-when-the-power-of-love On July 1, 2026, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City and displayed a banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Similar sayings have been credited to British statesman William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) and to American guitarist and songwriter Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), but it’s uncertain if either of them said it.            “A good deal is said of the power of love, but it is not nearly so potent in the affairs of men and women as the love of power” was printed in the Boston (MA) Evening Transcript on March 19, 1888. “‘We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then our world will know the blessings of Peace.’—Gladstone” was printed in the Trenton (NJ) Evening Times on March 22, 1949. “Civilization Will Really Begin When the Power of Love Replaces the Love of Power” was printed in an editorial cartoon in the Atlanta (GA) Journal on November 3, 1971.“Debbie Lefood, a Castle Park junior—(...) I feel that when the power of love overcomes the love of power, then shall the world know peace” was printed in the Union Tribune (San Diego, CA) on November 29, 1966. “‘When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.’ Author unknown” was posted on the newsgroup soc.culture.thai on April 29, 1994. “‘Peace will come only when the power of love overcomes the love of power.’ -Jimi Hendrix” was posted on the newsgroup rec.music.phish on November 29, 1995.Wikiquote: Jimi HendrixJames Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix (27 November 1942 – 18 September 1970), born Johnny Allen Hendrix, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music; and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.(...)DisputedWhen the power of love overcomes love of power the world will know peace.This quote has been attributed to Hendrix on the internet, and is flatly denied to have ever been said by him, without presenting any evidence as to why, beyond such unsupported, derisive and denigrative statements such as the author rants about others making in “WHAT HENDRIX NEVER SAID : They Don’t Want to Know What He Really Said and Demand a Slacker Fantasy Instead” (22 March 2010) by Michael Fairchild, at rockprophecy.com. Whether or not he ever spoke them, they are very similar to those reportedly of British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, quoted in The Forbes Book of Business Quotations (1997) edited by Edward C. Goodman and Ted Goodman, p. 639: “We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” A similar quotation he provides of Sri Chinmoy predates any currently located source of either the Hendrix or Gladstone attributions, yet he accuses Chinmoy of simple plagiarism of Gladstone (or “Gladwell” at one point). From Chinmoy’s book My Heart Shall Give A Oneness-Feast (1993) he quotes: “My books, they all have only one message: the heart’s Power Of Love must replace the mind’s Love Of Power. If I have the Power Of Love, then I shall claim the whole World as my own … World Peace can be achieved when the Power Of Love replaces the Love Of Power.” An even earlier statement of Chinmoy is found in Meditations: Food For The Soul (1970): “When the power of love replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God.”Wikiquote: Sri ChinmoySri Chinmoy (27 August 1931 – 11 October 2007) was a spiritual teacher, poet, humanitarian, musician and athlete. Born in Bengal, India, at age of 11 he moved to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram before moving to New York, in 1964.   Meditations: Food For The Soul (1970)When the power of love replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God.January 20Variant: When the power of love divinely replaces the love of power, man will have a new name: God. Source: Sri Chinmoy (1971): My rose petals: the master’s extemporaneous talks in Europe, Sri Chinmoy Centre, p. 31. Variants: My books, they all have only one message: the heart’s Power Of Love must replace the mind’s Love Of Power. If I have the Power Of Love, then I shall claim the whole World as my own … World Peace can be achieved when the Power Of Love replaces the Love Of Power.Cited to Chinmoy’s book My Heart Shall Give A Oneness-Feast (1993)In The Forbes Book of Business Quotations (1997) edited by Edward C. Goodman and Ted Goodman, p. 639 a similar statement has become attributed to William Ewart Gladstone, and is also cited in “The National Elementary School Principal” Vol 28 published in 1948: “We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” A similar statement has also become attributed to Jimi Hendrix, though he could have been quoting or paraphrasing Chinmoy, or conceivably Gladstone: “When the power of love overcomes love of power the world will know peace.”        Newspapers.com19 March 1888, Boston (MA) Evening Transcript, “Facts and Fancies,” pg. 3, col. 1:A good deal is said of the power of love, but it is not nearly so potent in the affairs of men and women as the love of power.Newspapers.com22 March 1949, Trenton (NJ) Evening Times, “Quotable Quotes,” pg. 14, col. 5:“We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then our world will know the blessings of Peace.”—Gladstone.Newspapers.com19 May 1950, The Daily Journal-Gazette and Commercial-Star (Mattoon, IL), pg. 9, col. 6:“We shall know the blessings of Peace when the power of Love replaces the Love of Power.”—GladstoneNewspapers.com26 October 1956, The Journal-Tribune (Marysville, OH), pg. 8, col. 8:We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power.  Then will our world know the blessings of peace.—Gladstone.  Newspapers.com3 July 1958, Jackson (TN) Sun, pg. 10, col. 1 ad:Bill Sez—We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. WILL S. HALLGENERAL INSURANCE   New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, 2026-07-02T20:14:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/you-know-a-restaurant-is-expensive-when-a-menu-item-says-market-price https://barrypopik.com/blog/you-know-a-restaurant-is-expensive-when-a-menu-item-says-market-price Restaurants often put some items, such as seafood, as “market price” (abbreviated “MKT”). That menu item is usually very expensive.   “You know a restaurant expensive when a menu item says ‘market price’” was posted on X/Twitter by STRETCH FLVCKO on January 7, 2020. “‘Market Price’ is just another for a restaurant to say ‘we’re gonna rob you’” was posted on X/Twitter by Dave Dresden on August 11, 2022. “I will die on the hill of the whole ‘market price’ shit that seafood restaurants put on their menus is just a scam” was posted on Bluesky by Lyra (moldy voidsent) on August 16, 2025.     “Pro Tip: If you are at a nice restaurant and something on the menu is listed as ‘Market Price’, be sure to use a limit order to get a better deal” was posted on X/Twitter by Simple Jack Capital👨‍🦯📉 on June 7, 2021, and this received over 1,300 likes. “i love when restaurants say market price like i know how much a lobster is trading for on the dow jones” was posted on X/Twitter by Dwayne on August 17, 2025. “I love when restaurants put ‘market price’ next to certain menu items. Like yeah, I’ve been monitoring scallop futures all week” was posted on X/Twitter by Chris Orzechowski on June 21, 2026, and this received over 61,000 likes.       X/Twitter The Restaurant Manifesto @restofesto On a restaurant menu “Market Price” usually means “If you ask, you’re probably not going to order it.” 9:18 PM · Jun 27, 2016   X/Twitter Jim Healis @jimhealis Or my favorite: Market Price. Does anyone who actually follows the “market price” eat in restaurants that use that term on their menu? 2:49 PM · Aug 28, 2017   X/Twitter Eric Spiegelman @ericspiegelman I’m at a restaurant that serves guacamole for “market price” as if it’s chilean sea bass. 2:56 PM · Oct 3, 2017     X/Twitter annie @anniebriated all I want is to reach a level of wealth where I’m not incredibly nervous about “market price” at restaurants 1:35 PM · Nov 10, 2018   X/Twitter    jello. @Jelloshot93 Parody account Seafood Restaurants always talking about “Market price” like I study the fluctuating prices of the lobster trade 7:02 PM · Dec 18, 2019   X/Twitter STRETCH FLVCKO @Stretchxflvcko You know a restaurant expensive when a menu item says “market price” 8:44 AM · Jan 7, 2020 from Tallahassee, FL       X/Twitter Simple Jack Capital👨‍🦯📉 @SimpleJackCap Pro Tip: If you are at a nice restaurant and something on the menu is listed as ‘Market Price’, be sure to use a limit order to get a better deal 7:00 PM · Jun 7, 2021   X/Twitter K.O. @kofromatatf You know we’re in crazy times when the menu at the restaurants says: Chicken Wings - Market Price $$$ 2:32 PM · Jul 3, 2021   Facebook Rob Preston April 1, 2022 at 10:32 PM · If you’re in a restaurant and it says “Market Price”.....pick something else!!   X/Twitter Dave Dresden @davedresden “Market Price” is just another for a restaurant to say “we’re gonna rob you” 2:10 AM · Aug 11, 2022   Bluesky notbangalore ‪@notbangalore.bsky.social‬ Pro Tip: When a restaurant menu says “Market Price,” always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always ask the market price, even if you think you don’t care 😂😭... Archived from Feb 12, 2020, 4:43 PM 4:06 PM · Dec 2, 2024   Bluesky pdxpatfitz.bsky.social ‪@pdxpatfitz.bsky.social‬ Restaurants will change menus to show “market price” for eggs. 8:56 PM · Feb 4, 2025     X/Twitter METAWORLDWAR @kollapsarian we all know what market price at restaurants means, but who will have the balls to introduce options trading to restaurants? 12:27 PM · May 28, 2025   Bluesky Lyra (moldy voidsent) ‪@tiralyra.bsky.social‬ I will die on the hill of the whole “market price” shit that seafood restaurants put on their menus is just a scam 12:02 PM · Aug 16, 2025   X/Twitter Dwayne @CtrlAltDwayne i love when restaurants say market price like i know how much a lobster is trading for on the dow jones 9:05 AM · Aug 17, 2025   Bluesky Obi Juan Colombi 🇨🇴 ‪@obijuancolombi.bsky.social‬ I love being in a restaurant and saying “They said market price! WHAT MARKET ARE YOU SHOPPING AT?!?!” 7:03 PM · Oct 22, 2025   X/Twitter Chris Orzechowski @chrisorzy I love when restaurants put “market price” next to certain menu items. Like yeah, I’ve been monitoring scallop futures all week. 4:07 PM · Jun 21, 2026 New York City, Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores, 2026-07-02T09:15:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/pro-tip-if-you-are-at-a-nice-restaurant-and-something-on-the-menu-is-listed https://barrypopik.com/blog/pro-tip-if-you-are-at-a-nice-restaurant-and-something-on-the-menu-is-listed Restaurants often put some items, such as seafood, as “market price” (abbreviated “MKT”). That menu item is usually very expensive.   “You know a restaurant expensive when a menu item says ‘market price’” was posted on X/Twitter by STRETCH FLVCKO on January 7, 2020. “‘Market Price’ is just another for a restaurant to say ‘we’re gonna rob you’” was posted on X/Twitter by Dave Dresden on August 11, 2022. “I will die on the hill of the whole ‘market price’ shit that seafood restaurants put on their menus is just a scam” was posted on Bluesky by Lyra (moldy voidsent) on August 16, 2025.     “Pro Tip: If you are at a nice restaurant and something on the menu is listed as ‘Market Price’, be sure to use a limit order to get a better deal” was posted on X/Twitter by Simple Jack Capital👨‍🦯📉 on June 7, 2021, and this received over 1,300 likes. “i love when restaurants say market price like i know how much a lobster is trading for on the dow jones” was posted on X/Twitter by Dwayne on August 17, 2025. “I love when restaurants put ‘market price’ next to certain menu items. Like yeah, I’ve been monitoring scallop futures all week” was posted on X/Twitter by Chris Orzechowski on June 21, 2026, and this received over 61,000 likes.       X/Twitter The Restaurant Manifesto @restofesto On a restaurant menu “Market Price” usually means “If you ask, you’re probably not going to order it.” 9:18 PM · Jun 27, 2016   X/Twitter Jim Healis @jimhealis Or my favorite: Market Price. Does anyone who actually follows the “market price” eat in restaurants that use that term on their menu? 2:49 PM · Aug 28, 2017   X/Twitter Eric Spiegelman @ericspiegelman I’m at a restaurant that serves guacamole for “market price” as if it’s chilean sea bass. 2:56 PM · Oct 3, 2017     X/Twitter annie @anniebriated all I want is to reach a level of wealth where I’m not incredibly nervous about “market price” at restaurants 1:35 PM · Nov 10, 2018   X/Twitter    jello. @Jelloshot93 Parody account Seafood Restaurants always talking about “Market price” like I study the fluctuating prices of the lobster trade 7:02 PM · Dec 18, 2019   X/Twitter STRETCH FLVCKO @Stretchxflvcko You know a restaurant expensive when a menu item says “market price” 8:44 AM · Jan 7, 2020 from Tallahassee, FL       X/Twitter Simple Jack Capital👨‍🦯📉 @SimpleJackCap Pro Tip: If you are at a nice restaurant and something on the menu is listed as ‘Market Price’, be sure to use a limit order to get a better deal 7:00 PM · Jun 7, 2021   X/Twitter K.O. @kofromatatf You know we’re in crazy times when the menu at the restaurants says: Chicken Wings - Market Price $$$ 2:32 PM · Jul 3, 2021   Facebook Rob Preston April 1, 2022 at 10:32 PM · If you’re in a restaurant and it says “Market Price”.....pick something else!!   X/Twitter Dave Dresden @davedresden “Market Price” is just another for a restaurant to say “we’re gonna rob you” 2:10 AM · Aug 11, 2022   Bluesky notbangalore ‪@notbangalore.bsky.social‬ Pro Tip: When a restaurant menu says “Market Price,” always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always always ask the market price, even if you think you don’t care 😂😭... Archived from Feb 12, 2020, 4:43 PM 4:06 PM · Dec 2, 2024   Bluesky pdxpatfitz.bsky.social ‪@pdxpatfitz.bsky.social‬ Restaurants will change menus to show “market price” for eggs. 8:56 PM · Feb 4, 2025     X/Twitter METAWORLDWAR @kollapsarian we all know what market price at restaurants means, but who will have the balls to introduce options trading to restaurants? 12:27 PM · May 28, 2025   Bluesky Lyra (moldy voidsent) ‪@tiralyra.bsky.social‬ I will die on the hill of the whole “market price” shit that seafood restaurants put on their menus is just a scam 12:02 PM · Aug 16, 2025   X/Twitter Dwayne @CtrlAltDwayne i love when restaurants say market price like i know how much a lobster is trading for on the dow jones 9:05 AM · Aug 17, 2025   Bluesky Obi Juan Colombi 🇨🇴 ‪@obijuancolombi.bsky.social‬ I love being in a restaurant and saying “They said market price! WHAT MARKET ARE YOU SHOPPING AT?!?!” 7:03 PM · Oct 22, 2025   X/Twitter Chris Orzechowski @chrisorzy I love when restaurants put “market price” next to certain menu items. Like yeah, I’ve been monitoring scallop futures all week. 4:07 PM · Jun 21, 2026 New York City, Restaurants/Bars/Coffeehouses/Food Stores, 2026-07-02T09:13:00+00:00