Gothamist: Why NY Is The Big Apple And More

John

Fri, 23 Jul 2004 13:17:54 -0500

Another term that originated in New York is calling a country bumpkin a hick. Comes from the Hicks family that gave Hicks Street in Brooklyn its name. People in Manhattan heading to Brooklyn in the 18th century would say they were going to see the Hickses, who were big farmers at the time. Devolved into going to see the Hicks, making the singular a hick.

hstencil

Fri, 23 Jul 2004 10:49:44 -0500

now in Chicago it's "Da Mare."

Oudemia

Thu, 22 Jul 2004 16:54:14 -0500

Huh. I always assumed that "Hizzoner" was a Chicago-ism. In fact, I always assumed that it was a Royko-ism for the first mayor Daley. I guess I was right about the term's Chicago roots, but for the wrong reasons.