# 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:** 3
**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 18, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/41 "2017-08-18T04:21:36Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Everybody in every city everywhere refers to it as The City. I don’t think they do. A few random examples of the top of my head that I’m somewhat familiar with - Miami, New Orleans, Albuquerque. I’ve never heard them called that. And fwiw, in London “The City” means the financial district specifically, which is located in the old walled city. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/42 "2017-08-18T06:27:09Z")
> [@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. Thank you! I’m so sick of that shit. I don’t get offended by it either, just extremely annoyed when someone says it, especially this; I knew a girl when I was younger by Milwaukee and Foster area (by no means the ‘inner city’ and one of the safest neighborhoods) who used to think because she lived in the city limits, it made her ‘hood’ because she lived in ‘Chi-Town’ (after moving in from the suburbs) Last time I ever talked to her… I’ve hated those terms ever since and still have this image of a stuck up, surburbanite brat saying the word. Whenever I need to be angry, I think of it and I have the strength to throw a car.:mad: ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/43 "2017-08-18T06:56:49Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Cutesy nicknames for cities are never something used by the locals. To be fair, Brisbane residents in Australia do ironically refer to the city as “Brisvegas”. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/44 "2017-08-18T07:44:03Z")
It’s worth noting that the “Frisco is only for outsiders” meme is only for the white population of San Francisco. The city’s historically black population has had a [long history](https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/dont-call-it-frisco-if-youre-old-and-white/Content?oid=2828709) of calling it Frisco and it’s an accepted and non-controversial moniker. It speaks a lot to the racial divide of the city that most people seem wholly unaware of the deep roots the term has in the city’s history. I, personally, wasn’t aware of it until I watched Fruitvale Station (which, btw, is a phenomenal film) and decided to do a bit more research. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/45 "2017-08-18T08:23:10Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > It speaks a lot to the racial divide of the city that most people seem wholly unaware of the deep roots the term has in the city’s history. I, personally, wasn’t aware of it until I watched Fruitvale Station (which, btw, is a phenomenal film) and decided to do a bit more research. Huh…[checking the numbers,](http://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html) did you know the Asian population of SF didn’t seem to have exceeded 10% until after 1960? Woulda thought it’d been earlier. Also that it was about 95% white from around 1900 until sometime after the War. 'Didn’t actually become a white _minority_ city until after 1990. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/46 "2017-08-18T09:11:29Z")
[Emperor Norton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Norton) proclaimed it a crime, and we are compelled to obey. [QUOTE=Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico] Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word “Frisco,” which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor, and shall pay into the Imperial Treasury as penalty the sum of twenty-five dollars. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/47 "2017-08-18T09:23:23Z")
> [@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. Just don’t call the greater DC area “the DMV” like those twits on DC-101 do. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/48 "2017-08-18T10:10:53Z")
DMV? Oh, DC, Maryland, Virginia? I live here and don’t think I’ve ever heard that one. The locals in the know here never call DC “the city”—it’s always “the District.” If you ever go to St. Louis or meet someone from there, please for the love of all that’s decent do not call it “St. Louie.” There is no such place as St. Louie. It is St. LOO-is. /seInt 'lu:Is/ ---
**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, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/49 "2017-08-18T11:10:52Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Huh…[checking the numbers,](http://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html) did you know the Asian population of SF didn’t seem to have exceeded 10% until after 1960? Woulda thought it’d been earlier. US [immigration policy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965) went through a radical change in the 1960s. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/50 "2017-08-18T12:37:42Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I don’t think they do. A few random examples of the top of my head that I’m somewhat familiar with - Miami, New Orleans, Albuquerque. I’ve never heard them called that. > > And fwiw, in London “The City” means the financial district specifically, which is located in the old walled city. growing up in Minnesota we referred to Minneapolis/St Paul as “The Cities” that and 4 bucks will get you a cup of coffee 🙂 ---
**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 18, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/51 "2017-08-18T12:51:09Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > “The Chi?” Is that like “The Jewel’s” or “The Aldi’s?” It’s “Chi.” No “The.” While I was being a little tongue-in-cheek, as it’s another local dialectism that many people hate, it definitely is “the Chi.” There is even a television program [with the name.](http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-showtime-picks-up-the-chi-lena-waithe-20170109-column.html) Like “Chi-town,” it tends to be used in urban/African-American slang. See the lyrics of Common’s [Southside](https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tvzil2r7kamesimr2hdwwpbewni?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics) for instance, which both uses “Chi-town” and “the Chi.” Both “Chi-town” and “the Chi” are used by actual denizens of Chicago, particularly the African-American community. It’s definitely not just outsider slang. ---
**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 18, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/52 "2017-08-18T13:09:00Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > " “The Jewel’s” or “The Aldi’s?” It’s “da Jewel’s.” 🙂 That one I will sometimes use. I seem to vacilliate between “Jewel,” “Jewel’s,” and “da Jewel’s.” “Aldi,” for whatever reason, is always without the “s” to me. It may have to do when I learned the names. I grew up with “Venture’s,” “Zayre’s,” “Jewel’s,” but “Aldi” came much later in my life, so I didn’t hear it with the “s” at the end. I think, more often than not, though, I do drop the “da/the” in all those constructions. I"ll leave you with this little [(white) Southside style rap ditty](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqrtoFWglMY) that showcases the accent (which I know you are more than familiar with, but I just love sharing this song to those familiar with that part of Chicago culture), including references to “Venture’s” and “Zayre’s.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/53 "2017-08-18T13:21:00Z")
> [@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? I’m going to take a wild guess and suggest that the one who likes to be called “Bob” is actually “William Robert”. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/54 "2017-08-18T13:51:03Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > As above, where are you getting Bob or Bobby from William? It’s Bill or Billy. 😕 Why does it have to be from William? I know several guys whose nicks are the name of a relative they resemble. ---
**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, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/55 "2017-08-18T13:54:23Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Why does it have to be from William? I know several guys whose nicks are the name of a relative they resemble. Yeah, but normally you get those names from Robert, not William. I think **Ravenman** made a boo-boo in that post. A mental fart, as it were. It happens as we get older. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/56 "2017-08-18T14:02:15Z")
Harry [the Taxi driver called it ‘Frisco’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qYU9b5OF8M) but that’s almost the only time I’ve heard the term. [Here’s how most render the City’s name.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdvCqUguIh8) [Judy Garland has plans to meet someone in St. Looie;](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JARDvdrAxk) let’s hope they get together despite any confusion about the city name. ---
**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 18, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/57 "2017-08-18T14:34:01Z")
Jesus Christ, this place is pedantic. ---
**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 18, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/58 "2017-08-18T14:37:32Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Jesus Christ, this place is pedantic. And the pope is Catholic. ---
**Author:** ![spudbucket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@spudbucket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spudbucket)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/59 "2017-08-18T15:10:16Z")
Everyone in Berkeley and Oakland knows that the probably way to refer to San Francisco is “the West Bay” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875/60 "2017-08-18T22:04:23Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > In upstate New York, they say “New York City”. “New York” is the state. Depends how far upstate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-using-frisco-for-san-francisco-cause-upset/793875.md?page=4)