Entry from
July 26, 2004
Empire City, Empire State
New York State is the "Empire State," and New York City is the "Empire City." People tell me there's an Empire State Building here somewhere. It's supposed to be really tall.
"Empire City" is also the title of a 2002 book edited by Kenneth T. Jackson and David S. Dunbar.
George Washington allegedly started this all off, calling New York the seat of the Empire.
The problem I have is that my trusty old Dictionary of Americanisms has first Empire State (1834) and then Empire City (1838). Both seem a little late for George Washington.
EMPIRE STATE
1 June 1832, Rchmond (VA) Enquirer, pg. 4:
Without these exigencies, Pennsylvania would have reminded the "empire state" of the years for which she had possessed the Vice Presidential office;
1 September 1832, Portsmouth Journal & Rockingham Gazette, pg. 2:
This desertion from men and adhernce to measures, leaves Jackson without an efficient paper i nthe city of "the Empire State."
April 1833, American Turf Register, pg. 418:
Will the Old Dominion pocket this? Where are Mary Randolph, Goliah,Flying Dutchman, Zinganee, Trifle? and then the Empire state, with her Black Maria, O'Kelly, Medoc, Terror, Miss Mattie of New Jersey, and Mr. Craig'sstable--
25 June 1833, Star and Republican (Gettysburg, PA), pg.2, col. 5:
The pride of the Ancient Dominion took fire, and as soon as an opportunity was afforded him to take the floor, he replied to the lofty airs of the New Yorker as folows:--"Mr. President--the Honorable Gentleman who spoke last, boasts that he is a representative from the Empire State. But, sir, that Honorable Gentleman should remember that in the Empire State he cannot sit down at table, nor ride in a stage coach with a white man - whereas in Virginia we can do both."
July 1833, The Princeton review, pg. 302:
Suppose the great State of New York were to repeal every law that forbids polygamy and divorce, every law that gives redress for the breach of marital rights, every one that makes marriage and its fruits subject of civil regulation, what corruption, bloodshed, and havoc would reign throughout that empire State!
EMPIRE CITY
19 October 1836, Alton (IL) Telegraph, pg. 3, col. 2:
GENERAL HARRISON IN NEW YORK.
(...) (Col. 3 -- ed.)
He comes to the Rome of America, the Empire city of the New World, and he will plough down corruption, and raise up reform, as Cincinnatus of old, if the Romans of America will but put the reins in his hands.
"Empire City" is also the title of a 2002 book edited by Kenneth T. Jackson and David S. Dunbar.
George Washington allegedly started this all off, calling New York the seat of the Empire.
The problem I have is that my trusty old Dictionary of Americanisms has first Empire State (1834) and then Empire City (1838). Both seem a little late for George Washington.
EMPIRE STATE
1 June 1832, Rchmond (VA) Enquirer, pg. 4:
Without these exigencies, Pennsylvania would have reminded the "empire state" of the years for which she had possessed the Vice Presidential office;
1 September 1832, Portsmouth Journal & Rockingham Gazette, pg. 2:
This desertion from men and adhernce to measures, leaves Jackson without an efficient paper i nthe city of "the Empire State."
April 1833, American Turf Register, pg. 418:
Will the Old Dominion pocket this? Where are Mary Randolph, Goliah,Flying Dutchman, Zinganee, Trifle? and then the Empire state, with her Black Maria, O'Kelly, Medoc, Terror, Miss Mattie of New Jersey, and Mr. Craig'sstable--
25 June 1833, Star and Republican (Gettysburg, PA), pg.2, col. 5:
The pride of the Ancient Dominion took fire, and as soon as an opportunity was afforded him to take the floor, he replied to the lofty airs of the New Yorker as folows:--"Mr. President--the Honorable Gentleman who spoke last, boasts that he is a representative from the Empire State. But, sir, that Honorable Gentleman should remember that in the Empire State he cannot sit down at table, nor ride in a stage coach with a white man - whereas in Virginia we can do both."
July 1833, The Princeton review, pg. 302:
Suppose the great State of New York were to repeal every law that forbids polygamy and divorce, every law that gives redress for the breach of marital rights, every one that makes marriage and its fruits subject of civil regulation, what corruption, bloodshed, and havoc would reign throughout that empire State!
EMPIRE CITY
19 October 1836, Alton (IL) Telegraph, pg. 3, col. 2:
GENERAL HARRISON IN NEW YORK.
(...) (Col. 3 -- ed.)
He comes to the Rome of America, the Empire city of the New World, and he will plough down corruption, and raise up reform, as Cincinnatus of old, if the Romans of America will but put the reins in his hands.