The Big Apple: Beep (Borough President)

Above, a plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at west 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Oct. 17, 1931, Turf Play, p. 7.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce The Big Apple, a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

This site is edited by Barry Popik. Technical matters are handled by Grant Barrett of Double-Tongued Word Wrester Dictionary.

Entry from July 12, 2004

Beep (Borough President)

"Beep" means Borough President; there are five, or one for each borough. The term is a take-off on "Veep" (Vice President) and, probably, that popular World War II vehicle, the "Jeep."

This is my earliest citation:

21 October 1952, Ken (Brooklyn College student newspaper), pg. 5, col. 1:
...Borough President John Cashmore..."Beep" Cashmore.

Posted by Barry Popik
Workers/People • (0) Comments • Monday, July 12, 2004 • Permalink