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New York is not known for its apples. Apples are neither exported from nor grown in New York City. New York City's nickname is "the Big Apple," but not because apples are grown there.

The nickname can be traced to two separate origins. The term "apple," was originally a horse-racing term. Prizes in horse-racing were called "apples," so, since New York has so many horse-racing arenas, and because so many big horse-races, with big prizes, take place in and around New York City, jockeys began to refer to New York as "the big apple."

There is also an old saying in show business: "There are many apples on the tree, but only one big apple." Since so many performers get started, and get their big break, in New York City, jazz musicians began calling it "the Big Apple."

In 1971, the term was officially adopted as New York City's nickname.

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15y ago

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