Big apple origins redux

[Michael Quinion]

In the discussions on the subject that have appeared on this list,
none that I can find in the archives have discussed the idea that the
term Fitz Gerald picked up in New Orleans was a calque of Spanish
"manzana principal" for the city centre or downtown area or - less
directly - the place where the main action is. Would anyone care to
comment?

--
Michael Quinion
Editor, World Wide Words
E-mail: <TheEditor at worldwidewords.org>
Web: <http://www.worldwidewords.org/>