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In Rockland almost everyone says "the city" to mean Manhattan, and only Manhattan. If you are referring to the Bronx, or Queens, etc, you would say "the Bronx", "Queens" or whatever. People who I have known who lived in an outer borough also used the phrase "the city" in the same manner, meaning that a friend could be at his house in Queens and would say "lets go to the city tonight".
As others have said, I think this, in part, lingers from earlier times when Manhattan was separately incorporated from the other 4 boroughs. Also, I think a big part of it has to due with the fact that Manhattan is an island, and as such, is well defined in terms of being there or not - it helps it be separate, and maintain that "city" uniqueness.
Wheb I was growing up in the Bronx everyone referred to Manhattan as Manhattan. But if they wanted to be a little more specific they would say uptown, downtown, or way downtown. Only Manhattanites are neighborhood specific about Manhattan.
I never heard the phrase "the city" until I visited my cousins in Brooklyn. But I knew what they were referring to since I read the book "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". I noticed then that Queens residents also referred to Manhattan as "the city". The Bronx just never referred to it as "the city".
However they refer to it NYers are never really think of Manhattan as a big deal. It is just another boro to us. I guess now I would be considered an old timer.
It depends on who I'm speaking to I guess. We grew up saying that we're going into "the city" from Queens. Except for my first job, I always worked in Manhattan.
When I lived iin Jersey City, I would say "into the City" when I meant New York (any borough but nearly always Manhattan.)
If I moved to Bethlehem, PA, calling NY "the City" would not work anymore since Philly is closer. (Unless I worked in one of these cities, then it would become "the City.")
I always associated people calling Manhattan "The City" with people from New Jersey or Long Island. Otherwise known as people who are not from New York City.
Being from Brooklyn, it was always Manhattan BUT after I moved to Manhattan, I realized that many New Yorkers (or people who are not New Yorkers but live in Manhattan or in the other boroughs ) also refer to it as "The City". I also know people who use both depending on the context or on the audience.
I live on Staten Island, and I'm a proud resident of New York City. Therefore, I go to Manhattan, not "The City".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Javawood
I call Manhattan "the city". I think the bigger anomaly is how we say "the Bronx" rather than just "Bronx" ie 'I'm going to the Bronx' vs 'I'm going to Brooklyn'. I also have to say, Buckner Blvd really surprised me two weeks ago.
I think it has to do with the origins being coming from the name of the river (which has a Dutch spelling, though I forget what it is exactly)
I always associated people calling Manhattan "The City" with people from New Jersey or Long Island. Otherwise known as people who are not from New York City.
Being from Brooklyn, it was always Manhattan BUT after I moved to Manhattan, I realized that many New Yorkers (or people who are not New Yorkers but live in Manhattan or in the other boroughs ) also refer to it as "The City". I also know people who use both depending on the context or on the audience.
That's how I feel, calling Manhattan "the city" seems like it would be more of a Long Island/Westchester thing
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