New Orleans’ nickname “The Big Easy” has several possible origins, including its supportive music scene, relaxed attitude towards alcohol consumption, and affordable cost of living. The nickname gained popularity after the release of a film of the same name in 1987.
Most everyone has heard the city of New Orleans, located in Louisiana along the Mississippi River, called “The Big Easy.” While the term has been used in everything from literature to sales brochures and even movies, its origins are somewhat obscure. There are actually several theories as to how New Orleans got the nickname.
The nickname may be related to New Orleans’ rich musical heritage. The city has long been a haven for jazz and blues musicians who wanted a place to hone their craft. Legend has it that the Big Easy’s first use had to do with the fact that there were so many ways for a good musician to make a living in New Orleans. From street and park performances to private parties and nightclubs, no other American city was said to be so open and so supportive of musical artists. The nickname may have been coined to refer to how easily a struggling musician could find work and study music at the same time.
Another possible origin of the nickname is related to the relaxed attitude towards alcohol consumption that was found in New Orleans, even during the Prohibition days. The city, perhaps more than any other, continued to enjoy an active nightlife that featured everything from bath gins to the finest wines. Anyone looking to enjoy a drink or two could easily find something to their liking among New Orleans’ many nightclubs. The name could. thus, they referred to the great ease of enjoying an evening with the booze of one’s choice.
The relatively low cost of living in New Orleans, compared to many major US cities, has also been suggested as the origin of the nickname. Musicians weren’t the only professionals who could easily find work in the city. Coupled with affordable housing and plenty of fresh food and drink, even a modest salary would allow for a relatively comfortable standard of living.
Whatever the origins of the nickname, there’s no doubt that references to New Orleans as the Big Easy have increased dramatically since the release of a film of the same name in 1987. Set in New Orleans, the film introduced the culture and l atmosphere of the city to many people who only knew it through travelogues. Today, almost everyone knows exactly what they are talking about when they hear the nickname. Whether it’s conjuring up images of an easy lifestyle, lots of fun or a place where music plays day and night, there’s no doubt that the Big Easy is now firmly part of the national vocabulary and will be for many years. to come.
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