The Big Apple

[RobUK]

Some might think this is a stupid question, but I was wondering why / how / when NY became known as the Big Apple?

[NYC4Life]

The term was first used in the 1920's by John Fitz Gerald, who was a sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph. He used the term as a reference to horse racing.

[Schadenfrau]

Indeed, but I wish the whole "Big Apple" thing had stopped with that article. I'm sure the man had no idea what a wildly annoying trend he was starting.