Baghdad by the Bay

English

Etymology

Coined late 1940s by columnist and mainstay of San Francisco culture Herb Caen, likely reflecting the multiculturalism and exotic character of the city, while also identifying the city with a great historical cultural and intellectual center, as well as possibly implying a moral association with Babylon.

Alternative forms

• Baghdad-by-the-Bay

Proper noun

Baghdad by the Bay

1. (informal) San Francisco (city in California).

Synonyms

• San Fran, Frisco, The City (Northern CA only), The City by the Bay, The City That Knows How (dated)

See also

• beatnik (also coined by Herb Caen)