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big apple

 - 4 dictionary results

Big Apple, the

–noun Informal.
New York City.

Origin:
1925–30; promulgated as a tourist slogan during the 1970s; perh. reuse of earlier “the Apple” (New York City in jazz musicians' argot) with Big as in big cheese, big time, etc.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Main Entry:  Big Apple1
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  New York City
Etymology:  may have been coined by Edward S. Martin in The Wayfarer in New York (1909), based on 'apple' as a lucrative job or engagement for jazz musicians
Usage:  slang
Main Entry:  big apple2
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  a line dance done in southern US
Etymology:  originated in Big Apple Night Clubin South Carolina
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Encyclopedia

big apple

1930s square-dance version of the jitterbug that was named for the Columbia, S.C., club where it originated. Assembled in a large circle, dancers did a basic shuffling step or other jitterbug step like the lindy hop. Directions such as "right foot forward" or "get your girl and take a twirl" were given by a caller, but more enterprising dancers, singly or in couples, frequently improvised.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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