How You Like Dem Apples?

2008_09_apples.jpg

AP photographer Mark Lennihan took this photograph of 13-year-old Jeremy Conroy selling apples in front of the New York Stock Exchange today. Apparently Conroy was "reenacting a scene of boys selling apples during the Great Depression." Like this one.

And NYC is not nicknamed The Big Apple because of apple selling--we subscribe to Barry Popik's explanation, which has roots from 1920s track racing. New York Morning Telegraph track writer John Fitzgerald wrote, "The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There's only one Big Apple. That's New York," and Popik explains, "The 'Big Apple' racing circuit had meant 'the big time,' the place where the big money was to be won."

Email This Entry


Comments (24) [rss]

I shall buy no apples from Hipster teenagers who think wearing sports coats make them look sophisticated & hip at the same time.

I grew up in New York City, and as it happens I never heard the term "Big Apple" until the advertising industry got hold of it in, what? The '80s? I'd be interested in when others first encountered it.

user-pic

Ditto Kojak!!
His parents probably bought him the apples anyway.

The kid is trying to make a valid political statement against Wall St and here you douchebags are, ripping him for it.

You azzwipes DESERVE to get taxed extra in order to pay for CEO's penthouses you stupid mofos. Enjoy your national bankruptcy.

How Ironic! He looks like totally like one of those dudes from like the great depression or like whatever that time was when dudes rode trains all day and played harmonicas. Cooool. My roommate Gator plays harmonica and can open Pabst bottles with his toenails. ROCK! I wonder who did his hair. Hey, I have those shoes, too! Cool!

user-pic

That's a LOT for an apple.

Kid's lucky he didn't get the shit kicked out of him.

#4 I think we would take the kid more seriously if he was not emulating Hipster Douchebags circa 2005.

I buy no apples from trust-fund teens.

different clothes would make this more effective

Of course he's unemployed...he's 13! He's supposed to be in school..grade 8, maybe grade 9!

Dear Barbj8, It's a holiday in New York today.

I think the clothes are his best attempt at evoking the clothing styles of the Great Depression -- not necessarily hipsters circa 2005. He borrowed that sport coat. It's way too big for him. Look at the sleeve.

Better if he hadn't included a Depression-era photo of some jobless guy selling apples on his sign like nobody would get it otherwise.

He should be selling shares of Wachovia instead. For the same money, you'd get a kid with a better P/E ratio.

Wachovia's trading for about an apple a share...

-"Dude are you, like, being sarcastic?"
-"I don't even know anymore."

-from The Simpsons

lol, berniegoetz, NannyState, Think twice

That kid, while you have to give it to him for theatrics, is an ass. He most likely has no idea what brought this crisis on, who, or why. I was at a protest the other day downtown. I'd say 20% were genuinely pissed about what led up to the bailout. The others were either protesting because they just hated that people had money, were stupid students looking for drama, or crazies with tinfoil hats.

Eh give him a break. Ballsy for standing out there like that. I wouldn't have, even with a better outfit on. Better than the same old 'protesting billionaires' or whatever bullshit that people have been doing year after year. Creative.

i don't think they were selling apples for a $1.00 each back in the depression

Also the kid was probably not wearing designer sneakers and jeans

I hope somebody spit on this kid

If i pass by him i know i will

1.) This is not news. This is just dumb.

2.) I don't understand what point he is making.

3.) He's a KID, he has no idea whatsoever what it's like to be unemployed.

yes, please spit on him.

I think that he's a pretty smart kid. That's pretty sophisticated content for a thirteen year old.

Post a comment (Comment Policy)

Tips

Get your daily dose of New York first thing in the morning from our weekday newsletter, now in beta.

About Gothamist

Gothamist is a website about New York. More

Editor: Jen Chung
Publisher: Jake Dobkin

Newsmap

newsmap.jpg

Contribute

Latest Tip:

years of isiah thomas stories in chant form http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2009/11/14/20
[more]

Latest Photo:

Subscribe

Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.

All Our RSS