Boston has many nicknames, inspired by various historical contexts. They include:
The City on a Hill Came from governor John Winthrop's goal, of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony, to create the biblical "City on a Hill." It also refers to the original three hills of Boston. The City by the Bay Comes from its location facing Massachusetts Bay and serving as the capital of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Hub is a shortened form of a phrase recorded by writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Hub of the Solar System.; p. 172 "A jaunty-looking person... said there was one more wise man's saying that he had heard; it was about our place—but he didn't know who said it.... 'Boston State-House is the Hub of the Solar System. You couldn't pry that out of a Boston man if you had the tire of all creation straightened out for a crow-bar.'" This has since developed into The Hub of the Universe. The Athens of America is a title given by William Tudor, co-founder of the North American Review, for Boston's great cultural and intellectual influence. Also a nickname of Philadelphia. The Puritan City Was given in reference to the religion of the city's founders. The Cradle of Liberty Derives from Boston's role in instigating the American Revolution. Also, a nickname of Philadelphia. City of Notions Was coined at least as early as 1823. Decatur, Illinois. Found at listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0307b&L=ads-l&P=2093.For 1823 reference see: Woodstock (VT) Observer, 5/13/1823, p.3. America's Walking City Was given due to Boston's compact nature and high population density, which have made walking an effective and popular mode of transit in the city. Beantown Refers to the regional dish of Boston baked beans. In colonial days, a favorite Boston food was beans slow-baked in molasses. Titletown Refers to Boston's historic success in certain sports, specifically the Boston Celtics, who have won an NBA record 18 championships, and the New England Patriots, who have won six Super Bowl titles. City of Champions Much like Titletown—refers to Boston's history of success in certain sports, with the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriots each having won more than one national championship. The Olde Towne Comes from the fact that Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It is also used in reference to the Boston Red Sox (The Olde Towne Team). City of Neighborhoods Boston is sometimes called a "city of neighborhoods" because of the profusion of diverse subsections.
See also
Nicknames of New York City Nicknames of Philadelphia
References