Vintage engraving of lower Broadway in New York in 1800s. Photo of Washington Irving by Mathew Brady. (Getty Images)
New York City has acquired a host of nicknames throughout its four-century history, though the “Big Apple” may be the cringiest, and “Center of the Universe” the most self-important. Of course, there’s also the ubiquitous “Gotham” nickname popularized by the “Batman” franchise of comic books, TV shows and movies.
Unfortunately for Batman fans, that’s not where New York’s famous “Gotham” nickname was established. It actually first popped up in 19th-century author Washington Irving’s work – yes, the “Rip Van Winkle” and “Sleepy Hollow” guy. While Gotham denotes an elegance that NYC business names have capitalized on, the nickname was originally intended as a jab at New Yorkers.
Translated, Gotham Means “Goat’s Town”
Irving borrowed the name from the English village of Gotham, known in the Middle Ages as the home of “simple-minded fools.” The word possibly translates to “Goat’s Town” in the old Anglo-Saxon language, an animal then considered to be foolish. The name stuck because Gotham residents allegedly faked stupidity, then thought to be contagious, to deter the detested King John from living there.
In February 1807, Irving slipped the term into his “Salmagundi” satirical magazine: “pedestrian merit may strive in vain to become fashionable in Gotham … most enlightened of cities!”
Yes, New Yorkers mocking New York City and other New Yorkers is nothing new. The author enjoyed poking fun at the city with the Lads of Kilkenny, a rowdy group of literary figures who founded the Salmagundi and performed rousing skits at the Park Theater and Shakespeare Tavern. Irving also popularized the term “Knickerbocker” for NYC’s Dutch founders in his 1809 book, “A History of New York.”
How Batman Claimed the Gotham Nickname
The story does come full circle, however. When drafting a 1940s issue of Batman, writer Bill Finger reportedly flipped through a New York City phone book and came across the listing for Gotham Jewelers. He decided to situate Batman in the fictional Gotham, rather than Manhattan, to add to the mystery. (There’s even a street in the Bronx named for Bill Finger.)
Ultimately, Batman filming locations haven’t been confined to the original “Gotham;” they’ve included London, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and even Iceland. So, no, New Yorkers cannot claim to own the Batman universe. They can claim the original “simple-minded fool” title, though.