# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/21 "2017-08-17T20:35:10Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The City is NYC of course. 🙂 Not on this coast it ain’t. Here in the Bay Area, calling San Francisco The City is a relic from the days when it really was the only city worthy of the name within several hundred miles. I grew up in the Santa Clara Valley before it was renamed, and ‘going to the City’ meant dressing up in your best clothes so as to be presentable at the play, concert, museum, fancy hotel, or fancy restaurant – not one of which was available outside San Francisco. Calling it Frisco is a mark of a tourist who is probably from Nebraska. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/22 "2017-08-17T21:45:53Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > 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? As above, where are you getting Bob or Bobby from William? It’s Bill or Billy. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/23 "2017-08-17T21:50:26Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Not on this coast it ain’t. > > Here in the Bay Area, calling San Francisco The City is a relic from the days when it really was the only city worthy of the name within several hundred miles. That’s a relic? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/24 "2017-08-17T22:24:31Z")
If Frisco is upsetting, it seems like it is now so old that it should be ironically reclaimed by the hipster locals. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/25 "2017-08-17T22:36:48Z")
We do. But only ironically. I’m sure I’ve said “Hey, so you’re heading up to Frisco this weekend, huh?” a few times. That’s usually good for a chuckle or two. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/26 "2017-08-17T22:44:46Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s right. Everyone knows it’s “The Chi.” “The Chi?” Is that like “The Jewel’s” or “The Aldi’s?” It’s “Chi.” No “The.” Married to a Southsider 40 years and I could never understand why y’all sound so stupid. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/27 "2017-08-17T23:34:11Z")
I’ll go to Frisco Buy a wig And sleep on Owsley’s floor ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/28 "2017-08-17T23:34:18Z")
I thought it was San Fransokyo > [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Herb Cain, the beloved San Francisco columnist, wrote a book called “Don’t Call It Frisco.” He said: So, if they were more cool they would prefer Frisco. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/29 "2017-08-18T00:44:27Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > I thought it was San Fransokyo ??? Is this something connected to Tokyo or Japan? If so, I’m curious. Why? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/30 "2017-08-18T00:58:05Z")
Everybody in every city everywhere refers to it as The City. Cutesy nicknames for cities are never something used by the locals. I have never once heard anybody from Pittsburgh actually call it “Da Burgh.” If I did, I’d assume he was trying to be funny. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/31 "2017-08-18T01:13:29Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > ??? > > Is this something connected to Tokyo or Japan? If so, I’m curious. Why? It’s the name of the mish-mashed city from “Big Hero 6” that is powered by sort of fish shaped kites. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/32 "2017-08-18T01:29:35Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Everybody in every city everywhere refers to it as The City. Apparently they don’t in LA. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/33 "2017-08-18T01:36:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Apparently they don’t in LA. How wonderful for them and for you! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/34 "2017-08-18T01:53:54Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The City is NYC of course. 🙂 > [@Ulfreida](#): > > Not on this coast it ain’t. > > Here in the Bay Area, calling San Francisco The City is a relic from the days when it really was the only city worthy of the name within several hundred miles. You’re both wrong. [This is The City](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo92XcY-2_k)🆒 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/35 "2017-08-18T02:21:18Z")
Frisco is a city built on Rock ‘n’ Roll. Also it’s where the lights go down. ---
**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 18, 2017, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/36 "2017-08-18T02:30:54Z")
Well in Jersey, the City is usually NYC unless you’re within a short distance of Philly. It is never Newark or Jersey City though. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/37 "2017-08-18T02:41:07Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > 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. In upstate New York, they say “New York City”. “New York” is the state. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/38 "2017-08-18T02:44:27Z")
Calling anything “The City” truly frosts my doughnuts. Don’t the Golden State WArriors have uniforms that say “The City” on the front? ---
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/39 "2017-08-18T02:45:03Z")
I won’t try to answer the OP. But I will say that in my experience with Bay Area folks, and particularly those living in San Francisco, using the term “Frisco” is inappropriate. For most of my life I was a SoCal guy. My uncle Don, a born-and-bred San Franciscan, told me shortly before I graduated college to avoid using “Frisco.” He felt it demeaning. But his intention was to make me realize that the fastest way to lose the respect of my SF audience was to appear as a rube. I took it to heart. For me, San Francisco is “The City,” “SF,” or the full name. It’s 40 years later and I still adhere to his advice. (BTW: I like it that notwithstanding Jack Webb, folks in Los Angeles _don’t_ refer to L.A. as “the city.” We [now former] Angelenos call it L.A. and are proud of it.) ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/40 "2017-08-18T04:14:26Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > Calling anything “The City” truly frosts my doughnuts. > > Don’t the Golden State WArriors have uniforms that say “The City” on the front? Even better… It just says “CITY”. ETA: I got that wrong. The word “CITY” is big and bold but there’s a small cursive “The” in front of and above CITY. I’d just never really noticed it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875.md?page=3)