The Totally True Story (with Maybe a Touch of Creativity) Behind Philly's "Brotherly Love" Nickname
Let's face it, Philadelphia's nickname, the "City of Brotherly Love," is a bit much. Sure, cheesesteaks and Liberty Bell are pretty sweet, but brotherly love? In a city with drivers who seemingly operate on a blink-and-you'll-miss-your-turn signal system? There's gotta be a more interesting story behind that name. Well, buckle up, my friends, because we're about to dive into the wacky, wonderful world of Philadelphia's founding father, William Penn, and his penchant for the ancient Greek language.
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| How Was Philadelphia Named |
Who was William Penn, and Why Did He Need a Colony Anyway?
Imagine this: it's the 17th century, and William Penn, a dude with a seriously impressive beard, is owed a hefty chunk of change by the King of England. Being a savvy businessman (and maybe a tad impatient), Penn decides to take out his royal IOU in the form of a brand new colony across the Atlantic. Cue dramatic music and montage of ships setting sail!
Peace, Love, and Land Deals: The Quaker Way
Penn wasn't your average "let's conquer the natives" kind of colonizer. He was a Quaker, a religious group known for their pacifism and, well, their aversion to fancy buttons. So, instead of rocking up with muskets blazing, Penn decided to try a different tactic: a peace treaty with the Lenape people who already lived on the land. This treaty, signed under a big, beautiful elm tree (because apparently, Penn was a sucker for symbolism), is considered one of the first of its kind between Europeans and Native Americans. Bonus points for Penn for not starting things off with a smallpox blanket giveaway.
From Penn's Head to Brotherly Love: How Philly Got Its Name
Now, Penn needed a name for his new Quaker utopia. He wasn't about to call it "New England: The Sequel," so he cracked open his Ancient Greek textbook (because apparently, that's what cool dudes did in the 17th century). Out popped "Philadelphia," which literally translates to "brotherly love." We're gonna guess Penn wasn't picturing rush hour on Broad Street when he came up with that one.
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So, Why the Nickname Mismatch?
Ah, that's the beauty of history, my friends. Nicknames rarely live up to their literal meaning. Philadelphia might not be a constant lovefest, but it's a city with a rich history, a killer cheesesteak scene, and enough quirks to keep things interesting. Besides, "City of Slightly-Annoyed Tolerance" just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
FAQ: Philly Name Edition
How to say Philadelphia like a local?
Philly, duh.
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
How to find brotherly love in Philadelphia?
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Start with a cheesesteak and some Tastykakes, then head to a local sports bar and cheer on your favorite team (just be prepared for some good-natured trash talk).
How to avoid road rage in Philadelphia?
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Deep breaths and a strong cup of coffee. There are no shortcuts.
How to celebrate William Penn?
Visit his statue at City Hall and ponder the irony of it all.
QuickTip: Note key words you want to remember.
How to learn more about Philadelphia's history?
The Liberty Bell Center and the National Constitution Center are great places to start.
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