“Red Hooker” is the name of an inhabitant of Red Hook, in the borough of Brooklyn. The name “Red Hooker” has been cited in print since at least 1870.
“Red Hooker” is not related to the old New York City slang term of “hooker” (prostitute), but the slang term is often jocularly implied.
Wikipedia: Red Hook, Brooklyn
Red Hook is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, U.S.A. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6. It is also the location where the transatlantic liner RMS Queen Mary 2 docks in New York City.
24 April 1870, New York (NY) Herald, “The State Capital: Passage of the Brooklyn Water Board and the Negro Voters Bills,” pg. 5, col. 4:
The Red Hooker and the Droll-est man in the Legislature wanted to make the Board entirely democratic and thus favor the famous Brooklyn ring.
Chronicling America
27 November 1895, The Sun (New York, NY), “Red Hook Is Happy,” pg. 3, col. 7:
Red Hook, in Brooklyn, and the Red Hookers are happy.
29 August 1961, Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), “Cops’ Relations With Public Has Changed, Says Oldtimer” (AP), pg. 2-A, col. 4:
“In the old days,” he (Lt. Dan Farrell—ed.) said, “I patrolled one of the toughest neighborhoods of the city—the Red Hook district of Brooklyn.
“But generally the Red Hookers were good, law-abiding citizens and if we ever had trouble with someone down there—which was pretty often—the people would give us a hand in bringing him in.”
8 August 1996, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “Brooklyn Neighborhoods: After Liberty, Life Goes on in Red Hook” by Merle English, pg. 25:
Red Hookers’ openness to change is tinged with concern.
Google Books
Brooklyn!, 3rd Edition:
The Ultimate Guide to New York’s Most Happening Borough
By Ellen Freudenheim and Anna Wiener
New York, NY: St. Martin’s Griffin
2004
Pg. 404:
Lillie’s is one of the hubs for local pioneers in Red Hook, so you may find out from Lillie herself and the crowd how Red Hookers view the universe.
The Brooklyn Paper
August 27, 2008
BJ’s on tap for Red Hookers
BY MIKE MCLAUGHLIN
Red Hook is about to get a BJ’s.
BJ’s Wholesale Club, the members-only retail chain, is close to finalizing a deal to open a big box store on the Red Hook waterfront, The Brooklyn Paper has learned.
(...)
COMMENTS
Joey from midwood says:
Who else thought this article was about hookers giving bjs? cant just be me
Sept. 2, 2008, 9:33 pm
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.
Recent entries:
•“You ARE a good driver/ That curb DOESN’T belong there” (4/23)
•“‘It’s been a long week.’—Me, in the middle of Tuesday” (4/23)
•“Buying frozen pizza is such a lie. ‘Oh I’ll save this for when I don’t feel like cooking’. Surprise, surprise. Day one” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Moon Night” (4/22)
•“Earth Day implies the existence of Moon Day” (4/22)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
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. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.