Why do they call new york city the big apple?

The nickname "Big Apple" is associated with New York City because of horse-racing culture in the early 1920s. Johnny Henderson, a sportswriter for the New York Morning Telegraph, used the term "Big Apple" in the context of horse racing, but it may have originated with two African American stable hands and jockeys, Big Apple Jones and Joe Apple.

During that period, it referred to the top prize in big horse racing events. The prize was considered highly prestigious and was a coveted goal for many horse owners and trainers. The concept was that every jockey wanted to be the one who took home the "big prize," or the "big apple."

Over time, the term "Big Apple" gained wider recognition and was picked up by other journalists, writers, and public figures. It eventually became synonymous with the city of New York itself, signifying its status as a prestigious and vibrant metropolis. Today, the nickname is commonly used to refer to New York City and its bustling energy.

There is also an apocryphal story of a campaign to promote tourism in New York that featured the slogan "Big Apple" but was not widely successful. However, the racing industry origins are generally considered the more likely source of the nickname's popularity and association with New York City.