The Big Apple: Beep (Borough President)

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

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.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

This site is edited by Barry Popik.

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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