Don’t tell anybody, but San Franciscans used to call their town Frisco. I know, I know, perish the thought. But that was before they kicked out all the working class people. Now it’s strictly San Francisco or even worse, The City. Terrible what gentrification can do to a town.

A few years ago I unthinkingly let slip a Frisco while talking to a San Franciscan. He winced. I could feel his pain. Before I could apologize he told me, slowly, so that I could understand, that they really cannot abide “Frisco.” He winced at the sound. Please say San Francisco or “The City”. 

I’d never been admonished over urban nomenclature before. I felt like a Cockney being lectured on enunciation by Rex Harrison. If I insisted on speaking to a resident of San Francisco, please use the correct designation. Otherwise leave them alone.

So I said you don’t like Frisco, huh? Another wince. What’s wrong with Frisco? Wince. I don’t see the big deal. Why do you care? He grew exasperated. How do you like it, he said, when people call your town Hollyweird?

But we call our town Hollyweird, I said. You do? Of course. We live in Hollyweird, and you live in Frisco. He winced again.

So what about San Fran?

End of conversation.

Bob Scobey’s Frisco Band

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