# Why does using Frisco for San Francisco cause upset? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875 "2017-08-17T15:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/1 "2017-08-17T15:42:53Z")
Looking for why this is upsetting. I don’t know any reason for it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/2 "2017-08-17T15:48:27Z")
Are you sure it’s truly upsetting to anyone? My guess it is just a way to identify and thrown scorn on new arrivals and outsiders, who use a different term for the city than long time residents would use. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/3 "2017-08-17T15:49:18Z")
Some people take exception to the shortening of their name as a nickname. They find it denigrating and demeaning. People from Frisco are some of these people. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/4 "2017-08-17T15:49:30Z")
Let’s say you have a friend who goes by the name of William. You start calling him Bobby. He doesn’t like it, but you persist. Same thing. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/5 "2017-08-17T16:00:21Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Let’s say you have a friend who goes by the name of William. You start calling him Bobby. **He doesn’t like it** , but you persist. > > Same thing. That’s because the proper form is “Billy”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/6 "2017-08-17T16:14:29Z")
Because [Frisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco,_Texas) is in Texas, not California. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/7 "2017-08-17T16:20:42Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Looking for why this is upsetting. I don’t know any reason for it. If the history of language is any guide, some idiots used the term and the term became identified with idiots. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/8 "2017-08-17T16:27:11Z")
I didn’t know it upset folks. It’s more of a shibboleth. On the East Coast, don’t say “New York City”, “Washington DC”, or “Philadelphia”…rather, say “New York”, “DC”, and “Philly” respectively. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/9 "2017-08-17T16:27:45Z")
Herb Cain, the beloved San Francisco columnist, wrote a book called “Don’t Call It Frisco.” He said: > [@](#): > > Don’t call it Frisco — it’s San Francisco, because it was named after St. Francis of Assisi. And because “Frisco” is a nickname that reminds the city uncomfortably of the early, brawling, boisterous days of the Barbary Coast and the cribs and sailors who were shanghaied. And because Frisco shows disrespect for a city that is now big and proper and respectable. And because only tourists call it Frisco anyway, and you don’t want to be taken for a tourist, do you? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/10 "2017-08-17T16:29:11Z")
Moved to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/11 "2017-08-17T16:49:55Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Because [Frisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco,_Texas) is in Texas, not California. This. No San Franciscan is going to tolerate being mistaken for a city in _Texas_ ! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/12 "2017-08-17T16:54:25Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Because [Frisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco,_Texas) is in Texas, not California. Nope. [Frisco Colorado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco%2C_Colorado) ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/13 "2017-08-17T17:23:24Z")
It’s like people calling Chicago Chi-Town. Only tourists and asshats say that. It’s not upsetting in an offended way, it’s just annoying and identifies the sayer as an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/14 "2017-08-17T19:24:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Are you sure it’s truly upsetting to anyone? > > My guess it is just a way to identify and thrown scorn on new arrivals and outsiders, who use a different term for the city than long time residents would use. Got it in one. I’ve lived here (SF, which is ok to say or write) for nearly 40 years, and the only thing that ever happens when someone says Frisco (which hardly ever happens anyway) is a snicker and a small cringe, followed by gentle correction if you care enough about the person to do so. No, Herb Caen, it doesn’t “remind” anyone of anything, it’s just the sort of thing one associates with noobs and visitors. Now those folks born in San Francisco, which I wasn’t, may have a different perspective. I find them generally a little more persnickety about such things, and also more apt to bore you with talk of how everything has changed so much. To which my attitude is, time passes, things change, get over it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/15 "2017-08-17T19:45:37Z")
The Herb Cain part seems reasonable but a few of the reactions I’m seeing in this thread seem a bit over the top. Philly isn’t considered a problem, most people in New Jersey don’t even mind Joisey which seems to be a strictly negative term. We take it as the joke it is. I don’t think Frisco actually has any negatives connected to it. Its just short and easy. Does anyone call the Windy City Chi-Town? I never see or hear that one. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/16 "2017-08-17T19:49:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The Herb Cain part seems reasonable but a few of the reactions I’m seeing in this thread seem a bit over the top. Philly isn’t considered a problem, most people in New Jersey don’t even mind Joisey which seems to be a strictly negative term. We take it as the joke it is. I don’t think Frisco actually has any negatives connected to it. Its just short and easy. Let’s say I know three guys named William. One likes to be called Bob. Another Will. The last wants to be called William. Are the existence of Bob and Will to be taken as evidence that William is being a jerk by wanting to be called by the name he likes? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/17 "2017-08-17T19:53:42Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > It’s like people calling Chicago Chi-Town. Only tourists and asshats say that. It’s not upsetting in an offended way, it’s just annoying and identifies the sayer as an idiot. That’s right. Everyone knows it’s “The Chi.” ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/18 "2017-08-17T20:04:01Z")
You can tell someone’s not from San Francisco if they call it anything at all. Locals just call it “the city.” But I wouldn’t say it really upsets anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/19 "2017-08-17T20:12:49Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The Herb Cain part seems reasonable but a few of the reactions I’m seeing in this thread seem a bit over the top. Philly isn’t considered a problem, most people in New Jersey don’t even mind Joisey which seems to be a strictly negative term. We take it as the joke it is. I don’t think Frisco actually has any negatives connected to it. Its just short and easy. They pay a lot of money to live there. They pay for four syllables, dammit, so don’t shorten it to two like it’s Fresno or something. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/20 "2017-08-17T20:27:05Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > You can tell someone’s not from San Francisco if they call it anything at all. Locals just call it “the city.” But I wouldn’t say it really upsets anyone. The City is NYC of course. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875.md?page=2)