Both Boise (the city) and Idaho (the state) have been called "the Big Potato." It's not a formal nickname, but it's another natural extension of the "Big Apple" influence on the potato-growing state.


18 November 1990, Dallas (TX) Morning News, pg. 4P:
The Big Potato: beyond Sun Valley Series: SKIING '90-'91
Colorado and California each have nearly double the number of ski resorts claimed by Idaho. Yet the 19 different downhill ski areas in the Big Potato offer something Colorado and California resorts do not.

Idaho remains a relatively unspoiled, unhurried, unhassled and unpeopled winter wonderland.

26 April 1998, Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, UT), pg. J1:
Those who know a little about Idaho often mention the state's most celebrated crop: potatoes. And why not? Idaho potatoes, marketed with a fervor rivaling Florida's citrus growers, are a huge part of state culture. Tourist shops sell T-shirts emblazoned with ``Idaho: The Big Potato.'' An Idaho college football cheer goes, ``Dice 'em, hash 'em, boil 'em, mash 'em! Idaho! Idaho! Idaho!''

9 March 2000, The Times of India (New Delhi, India):
NBC's Salt Lake City and Pocatello, Idaho, affiliates previously announced plans to preempt the show. Idaho has been especially harsh on God: All three of the Big Potato's NBC affiliates have preempted the half-hour show.

(Google Groups)
Nickname of the US Cities?
Boise, Idaho is the "Big Potato" (I like that one). Have you seen 'Lexx'?
(Or is it 'Lex'?) It's a neo-sexist, europroduction version ...
alt.usage.english - May 28 2001, 9:50 am by Stipan - 149 messages - 49 authors

8 December 2001, Los Angeles (CA) Times, pg. D3:
I can't believe the Bruins are missing this opportunity to play in the Humanitarian Bowl, even if they do lose a few bucks. Why, when the folks in rural Idaho make the long trek into Boise, they brag to their friends that they're going to the "Big Potato."

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