Why cities have nick names

Bretrick

Bretrick

Well-known Member
Location
Perth Western Australia
Taken from Britannica.com
New York - The Big Apple
It began in the 1920s when a sports wrote a column for the New York Morning Telegraph about the many horse races and racecourses in and around New York.
He referred to the substantial prizes to be won as “the big apple,” symbolizing the biggest and best one can achieve.
Geneva - the Peace Capital
Geneva, the second most populous city in Switzerland, is a city known for its diplomacy.
Geneva is not only home to the European headquarters for the United Nations but also where international organizations, such as the Red Cross, were founded and where the Geneva Conventions, a series of treaties for ameliorating the effects of war on soldiers and civilians, were signed.
It seems fitting, then, that Geneva is known as “the Peace Capital.”
Toronto - Muddy York
The name refers to a time in Toronto’s history when there was no drainage system or sewers—meaning the “muddy” part of the name was quite literal. The “York” part actually goes back to when Toronto was first colonized, and its name was “Town of York” to honor Prince Frederick, duke of York.
Now, the nickname “Muddy York” represents the early years of this Canadian city.
Ushuaia - the End of the World
Ushuaia, a city in the Patagonia region of Argentina that is commonly regarded as the southernmost city in the world, earning it the nickname “El Fin del Mundo” (“the End of the World”).
Las Vegas - Sin City
Over 40 million people visit Las Vegas each year to indulge in its gambling, drinking, and dazzling shows.
Some people even venture outside the city to visit Nevada’s legally operated brothels—or indulge illegally within the city limits.
Las Vegas is also a top wedding destination, both for preplanned weddings and more on-the-fly affairs.
It’s no surprise that this city, where many vices can be indulged, is called “Sin City”—because “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Mumbai - the City of Dreams
Mumbai is not only the financial hub of India but also the home of Bollywood, one of the most popular Indian movie industries, making this city a particularly appealing place to move to.
The opportunities here are endless, which is why Mumbai is often referred to as “the City of Dreams.”
Sydney - Harbour City
Located on the southeastern coast of Australia, Sydney is a city that takes advantage of its location.
Once a major port city, Sydney is sometimes called “Harbour City,” in honor of this prime real estate.
People enjoy hitting the beach to go surfing or snorkeling, and one of the most recognizable buildings, the Sydney Opera House, is right on the harbor!
Cairo - the City of a Thousand Minarets
Cairo is known for having a wealth of Islamic architecture, which is why you might hear it being called “the City of a Thousand Minarets.”
Minarets have a unique role in Islam, as they are traditionally the towers from which Muslims are called to prayer five times each day.
Paris - the City of Love
Whether it’s because French is considered the “language of love” or because of the romantic walks along the Seine River, Paris has distinguished itself as the “City of Love.”
Paris has long attracted those with labours of love, such as writers and artists.
Love can be found everywhere, from its cozy cafés to the Arts bridge, to which couples in the early 2000s attached padlocks to demonstrate their commitment to one another.
 

Manatee said:
Ft Lauderdale is also known as Ft Liquordale.
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The nickname “Fort Liquor-dale” comes from the 1920's when American Prohibition was in full force

The American government had decided to ban the manufacturing, transportation, selling and consumption of alcohol nationwide.
Luckily for the bootleggers and South Florida alcohol drinkers, there was a way to get around the ban: the Bahamas.
At that time, the Bahamas were under British rule, and the British would never dream of banning alcohol.
The Bahamas islands were less than 100 miles away, on the ocean, making the location of Fort Lauderdale, FL a convenient, short sail or airplane ride away.
Fort Lauderdale was the ideal place for importing and smuggling illegal booze (where bootlegging and rum-running come from). Bootleggers could sail directly from the Bahamas up the New River to distribute their cargo.
 
London was once commonly known as "The Smoke." The capital had thousands of coal fires and a river. The result of the former was a lot of smoke and of the latter a lot of fog. The smoke got mixed with the fog, creating 'smog', and trapped by temperature inversion. Result: impenetrable fogs which killed, or hastened the deaths of, thousands, most notably in the Great Smog of 1952. The Clean Air Act of 1956 put an end to this by creating smoke free zones in which only 'smokeless' fuel could be burned
Capt Lightning said:
Portsmouth (England) is known as "Pompey", though no one is quite sure why. There are several theories, mostly with a naval connection.
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Portsmouth has been a port ever since Roman times, the Romans having a military base at nearby Portchester Castle. Later when the port started to be developed locals nicknamed it Pompey, likening it to Pompeii which was well known for its Roman ruins.
 
Why is Chicago called the “Windy City”?

The origins of Chicago’s famous nickname are not entirely clear. The most obvious explanation is that it comes from the frigid breezes that blow off Lake Michigan and sweep through the city’s streets.

However, another popular theory holds that it was coined in reference to Chicago’s bloviating residents and politicians, who were deemed to be “full of hot air.”

It functioned as both a literal reference to Chicago’s windy weather and a metaphorical jab at its supposedly boastful citizenry. The “Windy City” name may have started as a reference to weather and then taken on a double meaning as the city’s profile rose in the late-19th century.
 
horseless carriage said:
London was once commonly known as "The Smoke." The capital had thousands of coal fires and a river. The result of the former was a lot of smoke and of the latter a lot of fog. The smoke got mixed with the fog, creating 'smog', and trapped by temperature inversion. Result: impenetrable fogs which killed, or hastened the deaths of, thousands, most notably in the Great Smog of 1952. The Clean Air Act of 1956 put an end to this by creating smoke free zones in which only 'smokeless' fuel could be burned
Portsmouth has been a port ever since Roman times, the Romans having a military base at nearby Portchester Castle. Later when the port started to be developed locals nicknamed it Pompey, likening it to Pompeii which was well known for its Roman ruins.
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That is just one of the 'origins' of Pompey. Other suggestions are:-
HMS Pompeii was an accommodation ship for sailors, known locally as men from (the) Pompeii. The name came to be associated with the residents and also the city - hence, Pompey.

The extensive naval base and wooden ships were vulnerable to fire, and so there was a large permanent fire brigade stationed there.
They practised their fire drill on the adjacent Southsea common.
The French term 'Pompiers' may have been used because of the similarity to the way the service was developed in France . The name gradually became associated with anyone who lived in that area

Portsmouth, I've been told was literally the "mouth of the port" at the southern end of Portsea island. The area is now known as 'Old Portsmouth'. The modern city of Portsmouth (Pompey) occupies much of Portsea island.
 
My nearest city is Aberdeen, known as 'The granite city'. This is an obvious and accurate title, as most of the older buildings are built using granite. This gives many buildings a silvery grey appearance and also makes them difficult to date.

marsh.jpg

Marishal college Aberdeen. Founded in 1593 as Aberdeen's second university, the current building was built in 1830's and is the world's second largest granite building. The first university was King's college founded in 1495. The two colleges merged to form the University of Aberdeen.
 
The city where I was raised...


Glasgow – Dear Green Place

A derivation of the Gaelic word for Glasgow, Dear Green Place has become a name symbolic with one of Glasgow’s best feature – the parks.

Scotland’s biggest city has more green spaces per capita than any other city in Europe, and has over 90 parks and gardens.
From the biggest known to the hidden gems, everyone has their favourite park or garden in Glasgow.

East-End-Necropolis-View-Image-Block_8dc3bdbc8660ad389ec95cdf9b15d797.jpg
 
Capt Lightning said:
Portsmouth, I've been told was literally the "mouth of the port" at the southern end of Portsea island. The area is now known as 'Old Portsmouth'. The modern city of Portsmouth (Pompey) occupies much of Portsea island.
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The towns of Bournemouth and Weymouth both have rivers similarly named as in The River Bourne and The River Wey, it gives credence to Portsmouth being so named.
 
Pink Biz said:
Why is Chicago called the “Windy City”?

The origins of Chicago’s famous nickname are not entirely clear. The most obvious explanation is that it comes from the frigid breezes that blow off Lake Michigan and sweep through the city’s streets.

However, another popular theory holds that it was coined in reference to Chicago’s bloviating residents and politicians, who were deemed to be “full of hot air.”

It functioned as both a literal reference to Chicago’s windy weather and a metaphorical jab at its supposedly boastful citizenry. The “Windy City” name may have started as a reference to weather and then taken on a double meaning as the city’s profile rose in the late-19th century.
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Bloviating residents ? After knowing a few Bears fans, I never would have guessed that 🤣
 
Phoenix metro area is known as Valley of the Sun which is self explanatory. Scottsdale's nickname is West's Most Western Town. It really doesn't apply much to the city these days.
 
At one time, Petaluma was known as the "Egg Capital of the World," sparking such nicknames as "Chickaluma". Petaluma hosted the only known poultry drugstore and is the place where the egg incubator was invented by Lyman Byce in 1879.

We drove through Petaluma on the way to see Grandpa...it smelled like eggs! :eek:
 

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