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Big smoke derivation

Posted by Chris on January 27, 2002

In Reply to: Big smoke derivation posted by masakim on January 25, 2002

: : : Does anyone know the derivation of "The Big Smoke?" Did it ever refer to just one city?

Toronto, Canada, although no more polluting than any city, is often referred to as The Big Smoke by us good folk of the hinterland, just as New Orleans is the Big Easy or New York the Big Apple.
I wonder how many more cities lay claim to that monicker?
The only basis I can see for Toronto being called this is perhaps the sight of smoking chimneys seen across the water when travel by water (along lake Ontario) was the fastest way to get around way back when.
C.

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