"the Big [initial]"

[Jonathan Lighter]

HDAS includes a number of these (e.g., "the Big D" - 'Dallas').

Here's an antedating:

1917 _The Marines Magazine_  (Dec.) 20-21: U.S.S. "Utah." ...Brothers Mace
and Jordan...were presented with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers apiece just
prior to the BIG "U's" departure for sea.

JL



--
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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