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 2024 2024-08-29T21:45:00+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)  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)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/i-think-the-universe-knew-i-would-be-too-powerful-if-i-could-do-math https://barrypopik.com/blog/i-think-the-universe-knew-i-would-be-too-powerful-if-i-could-do-math Not everyone is good at math.  A joke was posted on X/Twitter  by gina on July 23, 2018, and this received over 134,000 likes:   “god knew i would be too powerful if i could do math.”   “I think the universe knew that I would be too powerful if I could do math” was posted on Facebook by Marlene Schramke Westendorf on May 29, 2024. “I think the universe knew I would be too powerful if I could do math” was posted on X/Twitter by Helga Von Tippler on December 18, 2025.   The saying has been printed on many images.       X/Twitter  gina @ginapple_ god knew i would be too powerful if i could do math 5:08 PM · Jul 23, 2018     X/Twitter Sommer Ray @SommerRay God knew i would be too powerful if i could do math 3:50 PM · Jun 16, 2020     iFunny RandomPanFemale_2020 15 mar 2021 God knew I would be too powerful if I could do math.   X/Twitter    judd(6,9,5) @thenamecannot God knew I would be too powerful if i was smart in math 11:50 AM · Apr 7, 2022   X/Twitter ✞𝙻𝚒𝚕𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝙸𝚜 𝙽𝚘𝚠 ᗯᗩ𝘠ᗯᗩᖇᗪ✞💣💨 @Lilgendwontmiss God knew I would be too powerful if I could solve math 10:10 AM · Apr 29, 2023   Facebook Marlene Schramke Westendorf May 29, 2024 at 7:29 PM · I think the universe knew that I would be too powerful if I could do math.   Facebook im not right in the head.com August 29, 2024 at 2:02 PM · God knew I would be too powerful if I could do math.   X/Twitter IntellectualDorkWeb @Intel_Dork I feel like the universe knew I would be too powerful if I could do math 😵‍💫 9:18 AM · Oct 20, 2025   X/Twitter Helga Von Tippler @DanaLeaB1 I think the universe knew I would be too powerful if I could do math. 9:01 AM · Dec 18, 2025   Facebook im not right in the head.com June 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM · I think the universe knew I would be too powerful if I could do math. New York City, Education/Schools, 2026-06-09T03:58:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/organic-food-companies-u-want-us-to-do-nothing https://barrypopik.com/blog/organic-food-companies-u-want-us-to-do-nothing “Organic food” 100 years ago was just called “food.” Some people why organic food should be more expensive if you just want to get food without added poisons. This was posted on X/Twitter by chuuch on September 24, 2020, and it received over 2,000 likes:   “organic food companies: u want us to do nothing to the food? that’s gonna cost extra 😊.”     X/Twitter chuuch @ch000ch organic food companies: u want us to do nothing to the food? that’s gonna cost extra 😊 8:19 PM · Sep 24, 2020   X/Twitter Texts From Last Night @TFLN “organic food companies: u want us to do nothing to the food? that’s gonna cost extra 😊” https://pleated-jeans.com/2020/09/28/funny-tweets-from-this-weekend-9-28-20/ 12:01 PM · Sep 28, 2020   Facebook All You Can Eat June 7, 2026 at 2:45 PM · 🤣🤣🤣 (“organic food companies: u want us to do nothing to the food? that’s gonna cost extra 😊” is shown on an image.—ed.) New York City, Food/Drink, 2026-06-08T02:35:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-butter-money https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-butter-money     Wikipedia: Goshen, New York Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 14,571 at the 2020 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange County.     The Neversink Valley Museum of History & Innovation The Railroads Change the Dairy Industry (...) The first regular supply of butter for the New York City market was manufactured in Orange County and bordering portions of Sussex County, New Jersey. Since Goshen was at the center of this area and was the Orange County seat, this butter became known as “Goshen Butter” and was famous around the country. The Orange county farmers had built up a highly profitable trade in butter and had made a national reputation for it. Butter keeps much better than milk and is well suited for long journeys to market. This was a natural incentive to direct as much milk as possible to butter production.   The booming business in “Goshen Butter” was built in the 1830’s, well before the railroads arrived. The “Goshen Butter” farmers had all agreed that their butter would be sent to New York City on the same day of each year. The day chosen was the second Tuesday in November. During the winter and summer months the butter was put up in firkins. One contemporary account of “the Day of the Big Trip”, describes how the butter would be carted north along the Goshen – Bloomingburg Turnpike on large market wagons to the great Newburgh – Cochecton Turnpike and thence eastward to Newburgh. At Newburgh the butter would be loaded on barges that were then towed to New York City by Hudson River steamboats, arriving at dockside a day later.   “Goshen Butter” was so famous that the National Bank of Orange County, one of the nation’s wealthiest local corporations at the time, printed its currency on yellow paper to commemorate the important role money from the butter trade played in its founding. These banknotes were popularly nicknamed “butter money”. The first President of the bank was George Duncan Wickham, a prominent local investor and one of Orange County’s most powerful men. He saw the value in Goshen Butter and had some involvement in the butter trade. Wickham was also a strong advocate for developing the local transportation infrastructure and was a director of both the D&H Canal Company and the Erie Railroad.   One of America’s first brands was “Goshen Butter”. The butter wholesale house of Van Auken & Cook gained control of the butter trade and established the name “Goshen Butter”. It is due to them that the name became so well-known. The term “Goshen Butter” was particularly well-known in the South. As early as 1812 New York butter wagons were regularly traveling at least as far south as South Carolina. The butter was even available in Savannah, Georgia prior to the Civil War. The blockade of Confederate ports during the Civil War led Southern commentators to lament the cut-off of “Goshen Butter”. After the end of the war, one of the first products shipped to the South was “Goshen Butter”. At the time, correspondents rejoiced that this trade had resumed.   When the railroads finally entered the scene, the genuine “Goshen Butter” trade of Orange and Sussex Counties rapidly declined. The railroads dramatically reduced the time it took to move dairy products to market making milk transport to the city viable. Making butter took more effort than simply shipping raw milk and the “Goshen Butter” farmers abandoned the butter trade in droves.   24 December 1764, New-York (NY) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 2: A Few FIRKINS of Choice GOSHEN BUTTER, Fit for Family Use, TO BE SOLD BY ROBERT RAY, At his House near the Old Dutch Church.   Newspapers.com 27 January 1802, Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA), pg. 2, col. 2 ad: FOR SALE, 20,000 wt. of Cohsen CHEESE, in casks,   17 May 1802, Commerical Advertiser (New York, NY), pg. 3, col. 2 ad: GROCERY, PROVISION & FRUIT STORE, No. 123 FLY-MARKET. (...) 2000 lb. first quality Goshen Cheese.   Old Fulton Post Cards 27 February 1878, Independent Republican 9Goshen, NY), pg. 2, col. 2: The yellow “butter money” of Orange county had a wide renown. The old bills have nearly all been retired.   Newspapers.com 11 December 1879, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), “Gloster’s Hoof” by H. L. D., pg. 2, col. 6: To my mind it all of this goes to prove that Orange county, which has always been famous for something, is now pre-eminent for its horses. in old times it came to the front with its milk and butter, and at Goshen, the county seat, the bank for many years issued yellow bills which were far and near known as “butter money,” and were always as good as gold.   Google Books History of Orange County, New York Compiled by E. M. Ruttenber and L. H. Clark Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Peck 1881 Pg. 542: Before the reorganization of this bank (National Bank of orange County, before 1865 - -ed)) under the national banking law, and while transacting business under its charter from the State, its bills were printed upon the yellow tinted paper, which in consequence of their peculiar color, and the locality from which they originated, were known not only throughout the county, but the country, as “butter money.”   Mr. (Ambrose S.—ed.) Murray’s yellow money, in consequence of his strict integrity and business capacity, was considered wherever and whenever presented equal to gold, and many of these notes may still be found in the possession of those who secretly treasure them as mementoes of the past.   NYS Historic Newspapers 17 February 1882, The Tri-States Union (Port Jervis, NY), “A Verminous Vagrant,” pg. 5, col. 2: ... and some of the yellow bills of the Orange County Bank of Goshen, known as butter money.   Newspapers.com 28 August 1889, Scranton (PA) Republican, “A Little Coal History,” pg. Orange County Bank furnished the company a good deal of money. It was “yaller,” and we called it butter money.   Newspapers.com 26 May 1895, New-York (NY) Daily Tribune, pg. 6, col. 6: Old bills of the Orange County Bank, known in bygone years as “Butter money,” are occasionally unearthed, although nearly all that were issued have long since been redeemed.   Newspapers.com 8 June 1895, Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, VT), “Butter Money,” pg. 4, col. 1: Old bills of the Orange County Bank, known in bygone years as “Butter money,” are occasionally unearthed, although nearly all that were issued have long since been redeemed. (...) New York Tribune.   WPDH (Hudson Valley, NY) Roadside Marker in HV Tells Forgotten Tale of Historic Factory Published: January 4, 2019 (...) The sign is located next to a fenced off natural spring near the intersection of Route 207 and Maybrook Road in Campbell Hall and says: This spring, with an abundance of cool water, determined the site of the first butter factory in the United States 1856 Owned by R.W. Woodhull, the factory was run by George Gouge, a famous butter maker who figured out how to mass produce butter and distribute it to the rest of the country.   At the time, Orange County was well known for producing “Goshen Butter.” According to the Neversink Museum, New York was the country’s leading supplier of dairy products during the 18th century. Farmers around the Goshen area supplied all of New York City with butter and eventually became famous all over the country. Goshen Butter was transported on wagons as far south as the Carolinas to be sold in stores. In fact, as the Civil War began, many in the South became angry after supplies from the North were cut off and they could no longer get their beloved Goshen Butter.   Facebook Historical markers and the places they represent In New York State · Michael Green · January 2, 2022 at 11:26 AM · Hamtonburgh, a few miles outside of Goshen. It’s been claimed that “Goshen Butter” was the first example of successful brand creation in the U.S.  The local bank printed its notes on yellow paper, sometimes called “butter money”. (A “BUTTER FACTORY” history sign is shown.—ed.) Nicknames of Other Places, New York State, 2026-06-08T02:32:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/butter-money https://barrypopik.com/blog/butter-money     Wikipedia: Goshen, New York Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 14,571 at the 2020 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange County.     The Neversink Valley Museum of History & Innovation The Railroads Change the Dairy Industry (...) The first regular supply of butter for the New York City market was manufactured in Orange County and bordering portions of Sussex County, New Jersey. Since Goshen was at the center of this area and was the Orange County seat, this butter became known as “Goshen Butter” and was famous around the country. The Orange county farmers had built up a highly profitable trade in butter and had made a national reputation for it. Butter keeps much better than milk and is well suited for long journeys to market. This was a natural incentive to direct as much milk as possible to butter production.   The booming business in “Goshen Butter” was built in the 1830’s, well before the railroads arrived. The “Goshen Butter” farmers had all agreed that their butter would be sent to New York City on the same day of each year. The day chosen was the second Tuesday in November. During the winter and summer months the butter was put up in firkins. One contemporary account of “the Day of the Big Trip”, describes how the butter would be carted north along the Goshen – Bloomingburg Turnpike on large market wagons to the great Newburgh – Cochecton Turnpike and thence eastward to Newburgh. At Newburgh the butter would be loaded on barges that were then towed to New York City by Hudson River steamboats, arriving at dockside a day later.   “Goshen Butter” was so famous that the National Bank of Orange County, one of the nation’s wealthiest local corporations at the time, printed its currency on yellow paper to commemorate the important role money from the butter trade played in its founding. These banknotes were popularly nicknamed “butter money”. The first President of the bank was George Duncan Wickham, a prominent local investor and one of Orange County’s most powerful men. He saw the value in Goshen Butter and had some involvement in the butter trade. Wickham was also a strong advocate for developing the local transportation infrastructure and was a director of both the D&H Canal Company and the Erie Railroad.   One of America’s first brands was “Goshen Butter”. The butter wholesale house of Van Auken & Cook gained control of the butter trade and established the name “Goshen Butter”. It is due to them that the name became so well-known. The term “Goshen Butter” was particularly well-known in the South. As early as 1812 New York butter wagons were regularly traveling at least as far south as South Carolina. The butter was even available in Savannah, Georgia prior to the Civil War. The blockade of Confederate ports during the Civil War led Southern commentators to lament the cut-off of “Goshen Butter”. After the end of the war, one of the first products shipped to the South was “Goshen Butter”. At the time, correspondents rejoiced that this trade had resumed.   When the railroads finally entered the scene, the genuine “Goshen Butter” trade of Orange and Sussex Counties rapidly declined. The railroads dramatically reduced the time it took to move dairy products to market making milk transport to the city viable. Making butter took more effort than simply shipping raw milk and the “Goshen Butter” farmers abandoned the butter trade in droves.   24 December 1764, New-York (NY) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 2: A Few FIRKINS of Choice GOSHEN BUTTER, Fit for Family Use, TO BE SOLD BY ROBERT RAY, At his House near the Old Dutch Church.   Newspapers.com 27 January 1802, Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA), pg. 2, col. 2 ad: FOR SALE, 20,000 wt. of Cohsen CHEESE, in casks,   17 May 1802, Commerical Advertiser (New York, NY), pg. 3, col. 2 ad: GROCERY, PROVISION & FRUIT STORE, No. 123 FLY-MARKET. (...) 2000 lb. first quality Goshen Cheese.   Old Fulton Post Cards 27 February 1878, Independent Republican 9Goshen, NY), pg. 2, col. 2: The yellow “butter money” of Orange county had a wide renown. The old bills have nearly all been retired.   Newspapers.com 11 December 1879, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), “Gloster’s Hoof” by H. L. D., pg. 2, col. 6: To my mind it all of this goes to prove that Orange county, which has always been famous for something, is now pre-eminent for its horses. in old times it came to the front with its milk and butter, and at Goshen, the county seat, the bank for many years issued yellow bills which were far and near known as “butter money,” and were always as good as gold.   Google Books History of Orange County, New York Compiled by E. M. Ruttenber and L. H. Clark Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Peck 1881 Pg. 542: Before the reorganization of this bank (National Bank of orange County, before 1865 - -ed)) under the national banking law, and while transacting business under its charter from the State, its bills were printed upon the yellow tinted paper, which in consequence of their peculiar color, and the locality from which they originated, were known not only throughout the county, but the country, as “butter money.”   Mr. (Ambrose S.—ed.) Murray’s yellow money, in consequence of his strict integrity and business capacity, was considered wherever and whenever presented equal to gold, and many of these notes may still be found in the possession of those who secretly treasure them as mementoes of the past.   NYS Historic Newspapers 17 February 1882, The Tri-States Union (Port Jervis, NY), “A Verminous Vagrant,” pg. 5, col. 2: ... and some of the yellow bills of the Orange County Bank of Goshen, known as butter money.   Newspapers.com 28 August 1889, Scranton (PA) Republican, “A Little Coal History,” pg. Orange County Bank furnished the company a good deal of money. It was “yaller,” and we called it butter money.   Newspapers.com 26 May 1895, New-York (NY) Daily Tribune, pg. 6, col. 6: Old bills of the Orange County Bank, known in bygone years as “Butter money,” are occasionally unearthed, although nearly all that were issued have long since been redeemed.   Newspapers.com 8 June 1895, Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, VT), “Butter Money,” pg. 4, col. 1: Old bills of the Orange County Bank, known in bygone years as “Butter money,” are occasionally unearthed, although nearly all that were issued have long since been redeemed. (...) New York Tribune.   WPDH (Hudson Valley, NY) Roadside Marker in HV Tells Forgotten Tale of Historic Factory Published: January 4, 2019 (...) The sign is located next to a fenced off natural spring near the intersection of Route 207 and Maybrook Road in Campbell Hall and says: This spring, with an abundance of cool water, determined the site of the first butter factory in the United States 1856 Owned by R.W. Woodhull, the factory was run by George Gouge, a famous butter maker who figured out how to mass produce butter and distribute it to the rest of the country.   At the time, Orange County was well known for producing “Goshen Butter.” According to the Neversink Museum, New York was the country’s leading supplier of dairy products during the 18th century. Farmers around the Goshen area supplied all of New York City with butter and eventually became famous all over the country. Goshen Butter was transported on wagons as far south as the Carolinas to be sold in stores. In fact, as the Civil War began, many in the South became angry after supplies from the North were cut off and they could no longer get their beloved Goshen Butter.   Facebook Historical markers and the places they represent In New York State · Michael Green · January 2, 2022 at 11:26 AM · Hamtonburgh, a few miles outside of Goshen. It’s been claimed that “Goshen Butter” was the first example of successful brand creation in the U.S.  The local bank printed its notes on yellow paper, sometimes called “butter money”. (A “BUTTER FACTORY” history sign is shown.—ed.) New York City, Banking/Finance/Insurance, 2026-06-08T02:32:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/why-did-the-psychic-cross-the-road https://barrypopik.com/blog/why-did-the-psychic-cross-the-road “Why did the chicken cross the road?”/“To get to the other side” is a classic riddle from the 19th century. A medium version is:    Q: Why did the medium cross the road?A: To speak to the other side!    “Q: Why did the medium cross the road? A: To get to the Other Side” was posted on the newsgroup alt.humor on August 17, 1997. “Why did the psychic cross the road?  To get to the other side” was posted on X/Twitter by Brian Neale on August 19, 2011.          Google Groups: alt.humorCrossing the roadPeter Metcalfe 8/17/97Q: Why did the medium cross the road?A: To get to the Other Side.   X/Twitterjim808@jim808Why did the medium cross the road. To get to the other side5:34 PM · Apr 28, 2009·Twitter Web Client    X/TwitterTaika Smith@TheSpellMasterWhy did the Medium cross the road?........To get to the “other side” - #Psychicjokes #jokes9:01 PM · Oct 22, 2009·Twitter Web Client  X/TwitterBrian Neale@pulpF1ictionWhy did the psychic cross the road?  To get to the other side.10:35 AM · Aug 19, 2011X/TwitterENABLER@_ENABLER_Q: Why did the Long Island Medium cross the road ? A: To get to the Other Side. I crack me up.5:09 PM · Aug 1, 2013·Facebook      Reddit—JokesPosted by u/GhostOfSttarman September 12, 2015Why did the medium cross the road?To get to the other side.    Reddit—JokesPosted by u/bynkman February 9, 2018Why did the spirit medium cross the road?To contact the “other side”.  X/Twitterbrandi@xobrandihagueWaiter: Why did the medium cross the road? She liked talking to people from the other side.11:47 AM · Nov 9, 2018·Twitter for iPhone    Reddit—DadjokesPosted by u/wallagm December 20, 2018Why did the Psychic Medium cross the road?To get to the other side.  Reddit—CleanjokesPosted by u/Bakedschwarzenbach January 9, 2020Why did the medium cross the road?To speak to the other side!  X/TwitterBob Golen@BobGolenWhy did the psychic cross the road?To get to the other side.8:47 PM · Jun 7, 2026 New York City, Streets, 2026-06-08T02:30:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-goshen-cheese https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-goshen-cheese     Wikipedia: Goshen, New York Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 14,571 at the 2020 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange County.     The Neversink Valley Museum of History & Innovation The Railroads Change the Dairy Industry (...) The first regular supply of butter for the New York City market was manufactured in Orange County and bordering portions of Sussex County, New Jersey. Since Goshen was at the center of this area and was the Orange County seat, this butter became known as “Goshen Butter” and was famous around the country. The Orange county farmers had built up a highly profitable trade in butter and had made a national reputation for it. Butter keeps much better than milk and is well suited for long journeys to market. This was a natural incentive to direct as much milk as possible to butter production.   The booming business in “Goshen Butter” was built in the 1830’s, well before the railroads arrived. The “Goshen Butter” farmers had all agreed that their butter would be sent to New York City on the same day of each year. The day chosen was the second Tuesday in November. During the winter and summer months the butter was put up in firkins. One contemporary account of “the Day of the Big Trip”, describes how the butter would be carted north along the Goshen – Bloomingburg Turnpike on large market wagons to the great Newburgh – Cochecton Turnpike and thence eastward to Newburgh. At Newburgh the butter would be loaded on barges that were then towed to New York City by Hudson River steamboats, arriving at dockside a day later.   “Goshen Butter” was so famous that the National Bank of Orange County, one of the nation’s wealthiest local corporations at the time, printed its currency on yellow paper to commemorate the important role money from the butter trade played in its founding. These banknotes were popularly nicknamed “butter money”. The first President of the bank was George Duncan Wickham, a prominent local investor and one of Orange County’s most powerful men. He saw the value in Goshen Butter and had some involvement in the butter trade. Wickham was also a strong advocate for developing the local transportation infrastructure and was a director of both the D&H Canal Company and the Erie Railroad.   One of America’s first brands was “Goshen Butter”. The butter wholesale house of Van Auken & Cook gained control of the butter trade and established the name “Goshen Butter”. It is due to them that the name became so well-known. The term “Goshen Butter” was particularly well-known in the South. As early as 1812 New York butter wagons were regularly traveling at least as far south as South Carolina. The butter was even available in Savannah, Georgia prior to the Civil War. The blockade of Confederate ports during the Civil War led Southern commentators to lament the cut-off of “Goshen Butter”. After the end of the war, one of the first products shipped to the South was “Goshen Butter”. At the time, correspondents rejoiced that this trade had resumed.   When the railroads finally entered the scene, the genuine “Goshen Butter” trade of Orange and Sussex Counties rapidly declined. The railroads dramatically reduced the time it took to move dairy products to market making milk transport to the city viable. Making butter took more effort than simply shipping raw milk and the “Goshen Butter” farmers abandoned the butter trade in droves.   24 December 1764, New-York (NY) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 2: A Few FIRKINS of Choice GOSHEN BUTTER, Fit for Family Use, TO BE SOLD BY ROBERT RAY, At his House near the Old Dutch Church.   Newspapers.com 27 January 1802, Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA), pg. 2, col. 2 ad: FOR SALE, 20,000 wt. of Cohsen CHEESE, in casks,   17 May 1802, Commerical Advertiser (New York, NY), pg. 3, col. 2 ad: GROCERY, PROVISION & FRUIT STORE, No. 123 FLY-MARKET. (...) 2000 lb. first quality Goshen Cheese.   Old Fulton Post Cards 27 February 1878, Independent Republican 9Goshen, NY), pg. 2, col. 2: The yellow “butter money” of Orange county had a wide renown. The old bills have nearly all been retired.   Newspapers.com 11 December 1879, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), “Gloster’s Hoof” by H. L. D., pg. 2, col. 6: To my mind it all of this goes to prove that Orange county, which has always been famous for something, is now pre-eminent for its horses. in old times it came to the front with its milk and butter, and at Goshen, the county seat, the bank for many years issued yellow bills which were far and near known as “butter money,” and were always as good as gold.   Google Books History of Orange County, New York Compiled by E. M. Ruttenber and L. H. Clark Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Peck 1881 Pg. 542: Before the reorganization of this bank (National Bank of orange County, before 1865 - -ed)) under the national banking law, and while transacting business under its charter from the State, its bills were printed upon the yellow tinted paper, which in consequence of their peculiar color, and the locality from which they originated, were known not only throughout the county, but the country, as “butter money.”   Mr. (Ambrose S.—ed.) Murray’s yellow money, in consequence of his strict integrity and business capacity, was considered wherever and whenever presented equal to gold, and many of these notes may still be found in the possession of those who secretly treasure them as mementoes of the past.   NYS Historic Newspapers 17 February 1882, The Tri-States Union (Port Jervis, NY), “A Verminous Vagrant,” pg. 5, col. 2: ... and some of the yellow bills of the Orange County Bank of Goshen, known as butter money.   Newspapers.com 28 August 1889, Scranton (PA) Republican, “A Little Coal History,” pg. Orange County Bank furnished the company a good deal of money. It was “yaller,” and we called it butter money.   Newspapers.com 26 May 1895, New-York (NY) Daily Tribune, pg. 6, col. 6: Old bills of the Orange County Bank, known in bygone years as “Butter money,” are occasionally unearthed, although nearly all that were issued have long since been redeemed.   Newspapers.com 8 June 1895, Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, VT), “Butter Money,” pg. 4, col. 1: Old bills of the Orange County Bank, known in bygone years as “Butter money,” are occasionally unearthed, although nearly all that were issued have long since been redeemed. (...) New York Tribune.   WPDH (Hudson Valley, NY) Roadside Marker in HV Tells Forgotten Tale of Historic Factory Published: January 4, 2019 (...) The sign is located next to a fenced off natural spring near the intersection of Route 207 and Maybrook Road in Campbell Hall and says: This spring, with an abundance of cool water, determined the site of the first butter factory in the United States 1856 Owned by R.W. Woodhull, the factory was run by George Gouge, a famous butter maker who figured out how to mass produce butter and distribute it to the rest of the country.   At the time, Orange County was well known for producing “Goshen Butter.” According to the Neversink Museum, New York was the country’s leading supplier of dairy products during the 18th century. Farmers around the Goshen area supplied all of New York City with butter and eventually became famous all over the country. Goshen Butter was transported on wagons as far south as the Carolinas to be sold in stores. In fact, as the Civil War began, many in the South became angry after supplies from the North were cut off and they could no longer get their beloved Goshen Butter.   Facebook Historical markers and the places they represent In New York State · Michael Green · January 2, 2022 at 11:26 AM · Hamtonburgh, a few miles outside of Goshen. It’s been claimed that “Goshen Butter” was the first example of successful brand creation in the U.S.  The local bank printed its notes on yellow paper, sometimes called “butter money”. (A “BUTTER FACTORY” history sign is shown.—ed.) Nicknames of Other Places, New York State, 2026-06-07T03:36:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-cheese https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-cheese     Wikipedia: Goshen, New York Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 14,571 at the 2020 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange County.   24 December 1764, New-York (NY) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 2: A Few FIRKINS of Choice GOSHEN BUTTER, Fit for Family Use, TO BE SOLD BY ROBERT RAY, At his House near the Old Dutch CHurch.   WPDH (Hudson Valley, NY) Roadside Marker in HV Tells Forgotten Tale of Historic Factory Published: January 4, 2019 (...) The sign is located next to a fenced off natural spring near the intersection of Route 207 and Maybrook Road in Campbell Hall and says: This spring, with an abundance of cool water, determined the site of the first butter factory in the United States 1856 Owned by R.W. Woodhull, the factory was run by George Gouge, a famous butter maker who figured out how to mass produce butter and distribute it to the rest of the country.   At the time, Orange County was well known for producing “Goshen Butter.” According to the Neversink Museum, New York was the country’s leading supplier of dairy products during the 18th century. Farmers around the Goshen area supplied all of New York City with butter and eventually became famous all over the country. Goshen Butter was transported on wagons as far south as the Carolinas to be sold in stores. In fact, as the Civil War began, many in the South became angry after supplies from the North were cut off and they could no longer get their beloved Goshen Butter.   Facebook Historical markers and the places they represent In New York State · Michael Green · January 2, 2022 at 11:26 AM · Hamtonburgh, a few miles outside of Goshen. It’s been claimed that “Goshen Butter” was the first example of successful brand creation in the U.S.  The local bank printed its notes on yellow paper, sometimes called “butter money”. (A “BUTTER FACTORY” history sign is shown.—ed.) New York City, Food/Drink, 2026-06-07T03:36:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-goshen-butter https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-goshen-butter     Wikipedia: Goshen, New York Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 14,571 at the 2020 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange County.   24 December 1764, New-York (NY) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 2: A Few FIRKINS of Choice GOSHEN BUTTER, Fit for Family Use, TO BE SOLD BY ROBERT RAY, At his House near the Old Dutch CHurch.   WPDH (Hudson Valley, NY) Roadside Marker in HV Tells Forgotten Tale of Historic Factory Published: January 4, 2019 (...) The sign is located next to a fenced off natural spring near the intersection of Route 207 and Maybrook Road in Campbell Hall and says: This spring, with an abundance of cool water, determined the site of the first butter factory in the United States 1856 Owned by R.W. Woodhull, the factory was run by George Gouge, a famous butter maker who figured out how to mass produce butter and distribute it to the rest of the country.   At the time, Orange County was well known for producing “Goshen Butter.” According to the Neversink Museum, New York was the country’s leading supplier of dairy products during the 18th century. Farmers around the Goshen area supplied all of New York City with butter and eventually became famous all over the country. Goshen Butter was transported on wagons as far south as the Carolinas to be sold in stores. In fact, as the Civil War began, many in the South became angry after supplies from the North were cut off and they could no longer get their beloved Goshen Butter.   Facebook Historical markers and the places they represent In New York State · Michael Green · January 2, 2022 at 11:26 AM · Hamtonburgh, a few miles outside of Goshen. It’s been claimed that “Goshen Butter” was the first example of successful brand creation in the U.S.  The local bank printed its notes on yellow paper, sometimes called “butter money”. (A “BUTTER FACTORY” history sign is shown.—ed.) Nicknames of Other Places, New York State, 2026-06-07T03:35:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-butter https://barrypopik.com/blog/goshen-butter     Wikipedia: Goshen, New York Goshen is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 14,571 at the 2020 census. The town is named after the Biblical Land of Goshen. It contains a village also called Goshen, which is the county seat of Orange County.   24 December 1764, New-York (NY) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 2: A Few FIRKINS of Choice GOSHEN BUTTER, Fit for Family Use, TO BE SOLD BY ROBERT RAY, At his House near the Old Dutch CHurch.   WPDH (Hudson Valley, NY) Roadside Marker in HV Tells Forgotten Tale of Historic Factory Published: January 4, 2019 (...) The sign is located next to a fenced off natural spring near the intersection of Route 207 and Maybrook Road in Campbell Hall and says: This spring, with an abundance of cool water, determined the site of the first butter factory in the United States 1856 Owned by R.W. Woodhull, the factory was run by George Gouge, a famous butter maker who figured out how to mass produce butter and distribute it to the rest of the country.   At the time, Orange County was well known for producing “Goshen Butter.” According to the Neversink Museum, New York was the country’s leading supplier of dairy products during the 18th century. Farmers around the Goshen area supplied all of New York City with butter and eventually became famous all over the country. Goshen Butter was transported on wagons as far south as the Carolinas to be sold in stores. In fact, as the Civil War began, many in the South became angry after supplies from the North were cut off and they could no longer get their beloved Goshen Butter.   Facebook Historical markers and the places they represent In New York State · Michael Green · January 2, 2022 at 11:26 AM · Hamtonburgh, a few miles outside of Goshen. It’s been claimed that “Goshen Butter” was the first example of successful brand creation in the U.S.  The local bank printed its notes on yellow paper, sometimes called “butter money”. (A “BUTTER FACTORY” history sign is shown.—ed.) New York City, Food/Drink, 2026-06-06T22:17:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/lemon-stick-baltimore https://barrypopik.com/blog/lemon-stick-baltimore   ,a href=“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_stick”>Wikipedia: Lemon stick Lemon sticks are a type of stick candy. They are similar to candy canes and peppermint sticks except lemon oil and acids are used for the flavoring. The coloring is typically a transuclent yellow body and white stripe. They are not the same as a lemon peppermint stick, otherwise known as a Baltimore lemon stick. Since 1942, Giambri’s is one of the candy makers that produces them. Baltimore lemon stick In Baltimore, Maryland, part of the culture of Baltimore is a summer rite of passage associated with the Baltimore Flower Mart where lemon sticks (also referred to as lemon peppermint sticks) are a treat in the form of a peppermint candy stick stuck in a lemon. Eaten together, they provide a sweet and sour taste sensation. The tradition may have come from France.   They are sold at the mid-spring Flower Mart held by the Women’s Civic League. These simple ‘drinks’ are made by cutting the top off a small lemon, cutting a hole into the flesh, and placing a soft peppermint stick into it. Sucking on the stick and squeezing the lemon produces a sweet, minty, lemony drink.   Wikipedia: Blatimore Flower Mart The Flower Mart is an annual festival native to the neighborhood of Mount Vernon in Baltimore, Maryland. The Flower Mart is held each year at the beginning of May. Participants and vendors at the Flower Mart offer gardening tips, sell plants and seedlings, and other gardening-related goods. Along with vendors are various forms of live entertainment and edible treats for guests, such as its traditional lemon sticks.     X/Twitter Christina Tkacik @ChristinaTkacik When life hands you 🍋, Baltimoreans make lemon sticks. Catch me on @wjz around 9:30 this a.m. talking about this Baltimore tradition. @BaltimoreBanner From thebanner.com 9:10 AM · May 5, 2023   X/Twitter Christina Tkacik @ChristinaTkacik The lemon schtick cocktail at Bloom’s ... just the latest lemon stick-inspired creation you can find in Charm City these days https://thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/food-drink/lemon-sticks-baltimore-flower-mart-XTEPXY2UOZFINKQVROJ7K75MY4/ 2:17 PM · May 5, 2023   X/Twitter Tusk 🦣 @Tusk_4Real “The Baltimore Lemon Stick” In Baltimore, Maryland, part of the culture of Baltimore is a summer rite of passage associated with the Flower Mart where lemon sticks (also referred to as lemon peppermint sticks) are a treat in the form of a peppermint candy stick stuck in a lemon. Eaten together they provide a sweet and sour taste sensation. The tradition may have come from France. They are sold at the mid-spring Flower Mart held by the Women’s Civic League.   These simple ‘drinks’ are made by cutting the top off a small lemon, cutting a hole into the flesh, and shoving a soft peppermint stick into it. Sucking on the stick and squeezing the lemon produces a sweet, minty, lemony drink. While mostly sold at Flower Mart, throughout summer, people in Baltimore will make these treats at home or social gatherings. 11:14 AM · Jul 24, 2024     Baltimore Police History Baltimore’s Lemon Stick Category: Uncategorised Read Time: 3 mins Published: 15 August 2024 (...) The History of the Lemon Stick The origins of the lemon stick are somewhat mysterious, but it is believed to have been introduced to Baltimore in the early 20th century. The treat became a signature item at the Flower Mart, which started in 1911. The Women’s Civic League, which is in charge of organizing the event, wanted to create a straightforward, refreshing treat that anyone could enjoy.   The tradition may have roots in European customs, where similar combinations of citrus and candy were enjoyed. New York City, Food/Drink, 2026-06-05T14:52:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/emancipation-day-june-19th https://barrypopik.com/blog/emancipation-day-june-19th “Emancipation Day” is June 19th, also called “Juneteenth”. Other names for this day are “Black Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” and “Jubilee Day.” The day celebrates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, at the end of the American Civil War.   “The intelligent and more respectable black People of our city and county celebrated their emancipation day on Monday last, the 19th last” was printed in the Tri-Weekly State Gazette (Austin, TX) on June 21, 1871. “The negroes at Columbus intend celebrating the 19th, Emancipation day” was printed in the Houston (TX) Telegraph on June 19, 1873. “EMANCIPATION DAY.—The colored people of this city, county and adjacent counties are preparing to have a celebration on the nineteenth of this month in this city” was printed in the Weekly Democratic Statesman (Austin, TX) on June 18, 1874. The term “Emancipation Day” is still popularly used.     Wikipedia: Juneteenth Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. (...) Also called Jubilee Day Emancipation Day (Texas) Freedom Day Black Independence Day   The Portal to Texas History 27 April 1867, Dallas (TX) Herald, pg. 2, col. 4: The negroes to the number of thousands, celebrated emancipation day this afternoon by procession, etc.   The Portal to Texas History 21 June 1871, Tri-Weekly State Gazette (Austin, TX), pg. 3, col. 1: The intelligent and more respectable black People of our city and county celebrated their emancipation day on Monday last, the 19th last.   Newspapers.com 20 June 1872, Galveston (TX) Daily News, “From Columbus,” pg. 2, col. 5: The negroes celebrated the Seventh Anniversary of Emancipation to-day.   The Portal to Texas History 19 June 1873, Houston (TX) Telegraph, pg. 3, col. 4: The negroes at Columbus intend celebrating the 19th, Emancipation day.   Newspapers.com 18 June 1874, Weekly Democratic Statesman (Austin, TX), pg. 3, col. 1: EMANCIPATION DAY.—The colored people of this city, county and adjacent counties are preparing to have a celebration on the nineteenth of this month in this city.   Newspapers.com 31 May 1878, Brenham (TX) Weekly Banner, pg. 3, col. 3: EMANCIPATION day wil lbe celebrated in becoming style by the colored population of Brenham, June 19th, in the grove at the head of Hog Branch.   Newspapers.com 20 June 1879, Brenham (TX) Weekly Banner, pg. 3, col. 4: Emancipation Day.   Newspapers.com 20 June 1880, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 4, col. 2: EMANCIPATION DAY. Bolton’s Garden the Scene of the Grand Jubilee. The fifteenth anniversary of emancipation day was celebrated by the colored citizens of Galveston at Bolton’s garden yesterday on Center street. New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, Texas (Lone Star State Dictionary), 2026-06-05T03:39:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/jubilee-day-june-19th https://barrypopik.com/blog/jubilee-day-june-19th “Jubilee Day” is June 19th, also called “Juneteenth”. Other names for this day are “Black Independence Day,” Emancipation Day” and “Freedom Day.” The day celebrates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, at the end of the American Civil War.     Wikipedia: Juneteenth Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. (...) Also called Jubilee Day Emancipation Day (Texas) Freedom Day Black Independence Day   Newspapers.com 20 June 1880, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 4, col. 2: EMANCIPATION DAY. Bolton’s Garden the Scene of the Grand Jubilee. The fifteenth anniversary of emancipation day was celebrated by the colored citizens of Galveston at Bolton’s garden yesterday on Center street.   Newspapers.com 20 June 1902, Houston (TX) Daily Post, “Elaborate Celebration,” pg. 6, col. 1: Yesterday was the freedman’s day of jubilee, the day which former slaves and the descendants have celebrated as the negro independence day every year since Lincoln proclaimed them free in 1863. New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, Texas (Lone Star State Dictionary), 2026-06-05T03:37:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/freedom-day-june-19th https://barrypopik.com/blog/freedom-day-june-19th “Freedom Day” is June 19th, also called “Juneteenth”. Other names for this day are “Black Independence Day,” Emancipation Day” and “Jubilee Day.” The day celebrates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, at the end of the American Civil War.   Wikipedia: Juneteenth Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. (...) Also called Jubilee Day Emancipation Day (Texas) Freedom Day Black Independence Day   Newspapers.com 20 June 1868, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 3, col. 3: FREEDOM’S DAY.   Newspapers.com 20 June 1894, San Antonio (TX) Daily Express, pg. 5, col. 3: FREEDOM’S DAY WAS KEPT.   Newspapers.com 19 June 1907, San Antonio (TX) Light, pg. 5, col. 3: FREEDOM’S DAY CELEBRATED   Newspapers.com 23 June 1933, Tyler (TX) Journal, pg. 7, col. 2: Negroes Observe Their ‘Freedom Day,’ June 19   Newspapers.com 8 June 1982, Waco (TX) Citizen, “Juneteenth Celebration,” pg. 2, col. 5: The ten senior centers will celebrate Juneteenth on Friday June 18 with a noon Bar-B-Q at each center. June 19th is Black Freedom Day in Texas and will be celebrated throughout the state. New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, Texas (Lone Star State Dictionary), 2026-06-05T03:36:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/black-independence-day-june-19th https://barrypopik.com/blog/black-independence-day-june-19th “Black Independence Day” (formerly called “Negro Independence Day”) is June 19th, also called “Juneteenth”. Other names for this day are Emancipation Day,” “Freedom Day” and “Jubilee Day.” The day celebrates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, at the end of the American Civil War.   “Yesterday was the freedman’s day of jubilee, the day which former slaves and the descendants have celebrated as the negro independence day every year since Lincoln proclaimed them free in 1863” was printed in the Houston (TX) Daily Post on June 20, 1902. “The barbecue is to commemorate the negro independence day, June 19” was printed in the Galveston (TX) Daily News on June 18, 1911. “The day was negro independence day” was printed in The Sunday Enterprise (Beaumont, TX) on June 20, 1920.   “One of the first activities of the PUC was the celebration of Black Independence Day on June 19” was printed in the Abilene (TX) Reporter-News on July 18, 1971. “Persons interested in celebrating June 19 at ‘Black Independence Day’” was printed in the Waco (TX) Tribune-Herald on May 9, 1976. “This year Channel 13 celebrates Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of Black Independence Day” was printed in the Mesquite (TX) Daily News on June 18, 1980.   The term “Negro Independence Day” is no longer used today, and the term “Black Independence Day” is infrequently used.   Wikipedia: Juneteenth Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. (...) Also called Jubilee Day Emancipation Day (Texas) Freedom Day Black Independence Day   Newspapers.com 20 June 1902, Houston (TX) Daily Post, “Elaborate Celebration,” pg. 6, col. 1: Yesterday was the freedman’s day of jubilee, the day which former slaves and the descendants have celebrated as the negro independence day every year since Lincoln proclaimed them free in 1863.   Newspapers.com 18 June 1911, Galveston (TX) Daily News, “Prepare for June 19,” pg. 14, col. 7: The barbecue is to commemorate the negro independence day, June 19, ...   Newspapers.com 20 June 1920, The Sunday Enterprise (Beaumont, TX), “Weirgate 19th Is Happy Event,” pg. 11, col. 1: The day was negro independence day.   Newspapers.com 19 June 1934, Beaumont (TX) Journal, pg. 6, col. 1 ad: Enjoy Our Special 75c SUPPER While Your Cook’s Celebrating Negro Independence Day (Hotel Beaumont, Black Cat Cafe ad.—ed.)   The Portal to Texas History 18 July 1971, Abilene (TX) Reporter-News, “People’s United Council Formed for Peace, Unity” by Ruth Fowler, pg. 5-B, col. 2: One of the first activities of the PUC was the celebration of Black Independence Day on June 19 in Stevenson Park.   Newspapers.com 9 May 1976, Waco (TX) Tribune-Herald, “Bledsoe-Miller Schedules Free Skating,” pg. 2D, col. 3: Persons interested in celebrating June 19 at “Black Independence Day” should contact Ronald Allen at the center.   Newspapers.com 18 June 1980, Mesquite (TX) Daily News, “Channel 13 to celebrate Juneteenth,” pg. 3, col. 1: This year Channel 13 celebrates Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of Black Independence Day in Texas, with a variety of movie favorites, musical programs and special editions of several series.   Newspapers.com 3 June 1984, Midland (TX) Reporter-Telegram, “Letters,” pg. 9B, col. 5: ... Juneteenth (June 19th, Black Independence Day). (Letter by Arthur Pertile III of Midland.—ed.) New York City, Government/Law/Military/Religion /Health, Texas (Lone Star State Dictionary), 2026-06-05T03:32:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/took-a-comedy-and-philosophy-course https://barrypopik.com/blog/took-a-comedy-and-philosophy-course The expression “I laughed more than I thought” really means “I laughed more than I thought I would laugh.” Howeer, sometimes is means more laughing than thinking.   “Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes” was posted on X/Twitter by “innocent drinks” on January 8, 2013. “TOOK A COMEDY & PHILOSOPHY COURSE, I LAUGHED WAY MORE THAN I THOUGHT” (shown on a sign) was posted on Facebook by Vince The Sign Guy - Real on June 4, 2026.   X/Twitter innocent drinks @innocent Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes 7:50 AM · Jan 8, 2013   X/Twitter . @WattWatt6 RT @wattwill “@innocentdrinks: Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes” 7:54 AM · Jan 8, 2013   X/Twitter Zoë Albutt @ZoeAlbutt “@innocentdrinks: Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes” #LAFF 9:18 AM · Jan 8, 2013   Reddit—Dadjokes [deleted]—June 20, 2016 Anyone else go to the comedy and philosophy convention last night? Laughed more than I thought!   Reddit—Jokes X0AN—December 25, 2016 Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought.   Facebook Gor-Ki Laughlin July 16, 2022 at 12:53 PM · When I attended a philosophy and comedy convention I found I laughed more than i thought.   Facebook Kostas Kanellopoulos July 18, 2024 at 8:36 AM · I went to a Comedy and philosophy convention. I laughed more than I thought.   Facebook Vince The Sign Guy - Real June 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM · (The following text is shown on a sign.—ed.) TOOK A COMEDY & PHILOSOPHY COURSE, I LAUGHED WAY MORE THAN I THOUGHT   X/Twitter cigarmike @cigarmike I recently took a Comedy & Philosophy course. I laughed way more than I thought. #ISMO 3:36 PM · Jun 4, 2026 New York City, Education/Schools, Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus, 2026-06-05T03:31:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/last-night-i-went-to-a-comedy-and-philosophy-convention https://barrypopik.com/blog/last-night-i-went-to-a-comedy-and-philosophy-convention The expression “I laughed more than I thought” really means “I laughed more than I thought I would laugh.” Howeer, sometimes is means more laughing than thinking.   “Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes” was posted on X/Twitter by “innocent drinks” on January 8, 2013. “TOOK A COMEDY & PHILOSOPHY COURSE, I LAUGHED WAY MORE THAN I THOUGHT” (shown on a sign) was posted on Facebook by Vince The Sign Guy - Real on June 4, 2026.   X/Twitter innocent drinks @innocent Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes 7:50 AM · Jan 8, 2013   X/Twitter . @WattWatt6 RT @wattwill “@innocentdrinks: Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes” 7:54 AM · Jan 8, 2013   X/Twitter Zoë Albutt @ZoeAlbutt “@innocentdrinks: Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought. #DadJokes” #LAFF 9:18 AM · Jan 8, 2013   Reddit—Dadjokes [deleted]—June 20, 2016 Anyone else go to the comedy and philosophy convention last night? Laughed more than I thought!   Reddit—Jokes X0AN—December 25, 2016 Last night I went to a comedy and philosophy convention. Laughed more than I thought.   Facebook Gor-Ki Laughlin July 16, 2022 at 12:53 PM · When I attended a philosophy and comedy convention I found I laughed more than i thought.   Facebook Kostas Kanellopoulos July 18, 2024 at 8:36 AM · I went to a Comedy and philosophy convention. I laughed more than I thought.   Facebook Vince The Sign Guy - Real June 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM · (The following text is shown on a sign.—ed.) TOOK A COMEDY & PHILOSOPHY COURSE, I LAUGHED WAY MORE THAN I THOUGHT   X/Twitter cigarmike @cigarmike I recently took a Comedy & Philosophy course. I laughed way more than I thought. #ISMO 3:36 PM · Jun 4, 2026 New York City, Education/Schools, Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus, 2026-06-05T03:25:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/tiktok-is-iike-the-smoking-area-for-social-media https://barrypopik.com/blog/tiktok-is-iike-the-smoking-area-for-social-media Smoking areas are special places where people can feed an addiction. This has been compared to social media.   “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media networks” was posted on X/Twitter by MissIyer on November 19, 2018. “Twitter is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on X/Twitter by رَهَف وَردَة on October 16, 2019.  “𝕏 is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on X/Twitter by Cutesy Cute 🤍 on November 24, 2024.   “Facebook is just like the smoking area for social media” was posted on Facebook by Moses Wene on March 7, 2022. “Tumblr is like the smoking area of social media” was posted on X/Twitter by Khai on October 11, 2022. “Tiktok is like the smoking area for social media!” was posted on Facebook by ቴን ማክ on July 13, 2023. “Bluesky is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on Bluesky by Attican on December 5, 2024.       X/Twitter MissIyer @Iyer2255 Twitter is like the smoking area of social media networks. 1:45 PM · Nov 19, 2018   X/Twitter رَهَف وَردَة @Rwardeh Twitter is like the smoking area for social media. 2:25 PM · Oct 16, 2019   X/Twitter Extremist 🇵🇰 @hardcorefemnist Twitter is like the smoking area for social media 4:51 AM · Oct 18, 2019   X/Twitter Clay @pxnkelephxnt “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media, but everyone complains about the smoke” -@Spideygoalieman 2021 7:31 AM · Mar 5, 2021   X/Twitter Tom @Tom_Griffiths86 “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media” - Carraig Love, 2021 @c_j_love_1 1:30 PM · May 15, 2021       Facebook Moses Wene March 7, 2022 at 1:52 PM · Facebook is just like the smoking area for social media   X/Twitter maproperty @2yayo Twitter is like the smoking area for social media 😂😂 11:04 AM · Mar 8, 2022   Facebook Jeremiha T. Clark July 24, 2022 at 9:57 PM · Facebook is like the smoking area for social media   X/Twitter Khai @DelReysBaby1 Tumblr is like the smoking area of social media 2:34 PM · Oct 11, 2022   Facebook ቴን ማክ July 13, 2023 at 1:27 AM · Tiktok is like the smoking area for social media!   Bluesky Jason Reid ‪@jasonreiduk.bsky.social‬ Bluesky is like the smoking area of social media platforms. Hope it stays that way. 9:34 AM · Aug 19, 2023   X/Twitter Cutesy Cute 🤍 @cutesycutee 𝕏 is like the smoking area for social media Quote Elon Musk @elonmusk Nov 23, 2024 𝕏 is the group chat / collective conscious of Earth 8:36 PM · Nov 24, 2024   Bluesky Attican ‪@iamattican.bsky.social‬ Bluesky is like the smoking area for social media 4:03 AM · Dec 5, 2024   X/Twitter 🔸Mnsr_Le_sniper CORE 🔶🇰🇪 @DuncanKipkemei2 X is like the smoking area for social media 10:23 AM · Jan 6, 2025   X/Twitter Sarah Bird @cna_sarah twitter is like the smoking area for social media 5:18 PM · Mar 24, 2025   Facebook We be like Fardin Amiri · August 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM · Facebook is Iike the smoking area for social media     X/Twitter 𝒵𝒾𝓀✯ @_Gottalovezik twitter is like the smoking area for social media. 7:54 AM · Jan 4, 2026   X/Twitter kuki @kumxem twitter is like the smoking area for social media 2:08 PM · Jun 2, 2026 New York City, Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet, 2026-06-04T07:18:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/tumblr-is-like-the-smoking-area-for-social-media https://barrypopik.com/blog/tumblr-is-like-the-smoking-area-for-social-media Smoking areas are special places where people can feed an addiction. This has been compared to social media.   “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media networks” was posted on X/Twitter by MissIyer on November 19, 2018. “Twitter is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on X/Twitter by رَهَف وَردَة on October 16, 2019.  “𝕏 is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on X/Twitter by Cutesy Cute 🤍 on November 24, 2024.   “Facebook is just like the smoking area for social media” was posted on Facebook by Moses Wene on March 7, 2022. “Tumblr is like the smoking area of social media” was posted on X/Twitter by Khai on October 11, 2022. “Tiktok is like the smoking area for social media!” was posted on Facebook by ቴን ማክ on July 13, 2023. “Bluesky is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on Bluesky by Attican on December 5, 2024.       X/Twitter MissIyer @Iyer2255 Twitter is like the smoking area of social media networks. 1:45 PM · Nov 19, 2018   X/Twitter رَهَف وَردَة @Rwardeh Twitter is like the smoking area for social media. 2:25 PM · Oct 16, 2019   X/Twitter Extremist 🇵🇰 @hardcorefemnist Twitter is like the smoking area for social media 4:51 AM · Oct 18, 2019   X/Twitter Clay @pxnkelephxnt “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media, but everyone complains about the smoke” -@Spideygoalieman 2021 7:31 AM · Mar 5, 2021   X/Twitter Tom @Tom_Griffiths86 “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media” - Carraig Love, 2021 @c_j_love_1 1:30 PM · May 15, 2021       Facebook Moses Wene March 7, 2022 at 1:52 PM · Facebook is just like the smoking area for social media   X/Twitter maproperty @2yayo Twitter is like the smoking area for social media 😂😂 11:04 AM · Mar 8, 2022   Facebook Jeremiha T. Clark July 24, 2022 at 9:57 PM · Facebook is like the smoking area for social media   X/Twitter Khai @DelReysBaby1 Tumblr is like the smoking area of social media 2:34 PM · Oct 11, 2022   Facebook ቴን ማክ July 13, 2023 at 1:27 AM · Tiktok is like the smoking area for social media!   Bluesky Jason Reid ‪@jasonreiduk.bsky.social‬ Bluesky is like the smoking area of social media platforms. Hope it stays that way. 9:34 AM · Aug 19, 2023   X/Twitter Cutesy Cute 🤍 @cutesycutee 𝕏 is like the smoking area for social media Quote Elon Musk @elonmusk Nov 23, 2024 𝕏 is the group chat / collective conscious of Earth 8:36 PM · Nov 24, 2024   Bluesky Attican ‪@iamattican.bsky.social‬ Bluesky is like the smoking area for social media 4:03 AM · Dec 5, 2024   X/Twitter 🔸Mnsr_Le_sniper CORE 🔶🇰🇪 @DuncanKipkemei2 X is like the smoking area for social media 10:23 AM · Jan 6, 2025   X/Twitter Sarah Bird @cna_sarah twitter is like the smoking area for social media 5:18 PM · Mar 24, 2025   Facebook We be like Fardin Amiri · August 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM · Facebook is Iike the smoking area for social media     X/Twitter 𝒵𝒾𝓀✯ @_Gottalovezik twitter is like the smoking area for social media. 7:54 AM · Jan 4, 2026   X/Twitter kuki @kumxem twitter is like the smoking area for social media 2:08 PM · Jun 2, 2026 New York City, Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet, 2026-06-04T07:17:00+00:00 https://barrypopik.com/blog/bluesky-is-iike-the-smoking-area-for-social-media https://barrypopik.com/blog/bluesky-is-iike-the-smoking-area-for-social-media Smoking areas are special places where people can feed an addiction. This has been compared to social media.   “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media networks” was posted on X/Twitter by MissIyer on November 19, 2018. “Twitter is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on X/Twitter by رَهَف وَردَة on October 16, 2019.  “𝕏 is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on X/Twitter by Cutesy Cute 🤍 on November 24, 2024.   “Facebook is just like the smoking area for social media” was posted on Facebook by Moses Wene on March 7, 2022. “Tumblr is like the smoking area of social media” was posted on X/Twitter by Khai on October 11, 2022. “Tiktok is like the smoking area for social media!” was posted on Facebook by ቴን ማክ on July 13, 2023. “Bluesky is like the smoking area for social media” was posted on Bluesky by Attican on December 5, 2024.       X/Twitter MissIyer @Iyer2255 Twitter is like the smoking area of social media networks. 1:45 PM · Nov 19, 2018   X/Twitter رَهَف وَردَة @Rwardeh Twitter is like the smoking area for social media. 2:25 PM · Oct 16, 2019   X/Twitter Extremist 🇵🇰 @hardcorefemnist Twitter is like the smoking area for social media 4:51 AM · Oct 18, 2019   X/Twitter Clay @pxnkelephxnt “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media, but everyone complains about the smoke” -@Spideygoalieman 2021 7:31 AM · Mar 5, 2021   X/Twitter Tom @Tom_Griffiths86 “Twitter is like the smoking area of social media” - Carraig Love, 2021 @c_j_love_1 1:30 PM · May 15, 2021       Facebook Moses Wene March 7, 2022 at 1:52 PM · Facebook is just like the smoking area for social media   X/Twitter maproperty @2yayo Twitter is like the smoking area for social media 😂😂 11:04 AM · Mar 8, 2022   Facebook Jeremiha T. Clark July 24, 2022 at 9:57 PM · Facebook is like the smoking area for social media   X/Twitter Khai @DelReysBaby1 Tumblr is like the smoking area of social media 2:34 PM · Oct 11, 2022   Facebook ቴን ማክ July 13, 2023 at 1:27 AM · Tiktok is like the smoking area for social media!   Bluesky Jason Reid ‪@jasonreiduk.bsky.social‬ Bluesky is like the smoking area of social media platforms. Hope it stays that way. 9:34 AM · Aug 19, 2023   X/Twitter Cutesy Cute 🤍 @cutesycutee 𝕏 is like the smoking area for social media Quote Elon Musk @elonmusk Nov 23, 2024 𝕏 is the group chat / collective conscious of Earth 8:36 PM · Nov 24, 2024   Bluesky Attican ‪@iamattican.bsky.social‬ Bluesky is like the smoking area for social media 4:03 AM · Dec 5, 2024   X/Twitter 🔸Mnsr_Le_sniper CORE 🔶🇰🇪 @DuncanKipkemei2 X is like the smoking area for social media 10:23 AM · Jan 6, 2025   X/Twitter Sarah Bird @cna_sarah twitter is like the smoking area for social media 5:18 PM · Mar 24, 2025   Facebook We be like Fardin Amiri · August 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM · Facebook is Iike the smoking area for social media     X/Twitter 𝒵𝒾𝓀✯ @_Gottalovezik twitter is like the smoking area for social media. 7:54 AM · Jan 4, 2026   X/Twitter kuki @kumxem twitter is like the smoking area for social media 2:08 PM · Jun 2, 2026 New York City, Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet, 2026-06-04T07:16:00+00:00