Just about everyone has heard the city of New Orleans, located in Louisiana along the Mississippi River, referred to as "The Big Easy." While the term has been used in everything from literature to sales brochures and even movies, the origins of the Big Easy are somewhat obscure. There are actually several thoughts on how New Orleans came to have the nickname. Here are some examples of the more popular explanations on how this beautiful and culturally rich city came to be known as the Big Easy.

One of the earliest ideas on the origin of the Big Easy has to do with the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. The city has long been a haven for jazz and blues musicians who wanted a place to hone their craft. Legend has it that the earliest use of the Big Easy had to do with the fact that there were so many ways for a good musician to make a living in New Orleans. From performing on the streets and in the parks to playing private parties and in nightclubs, no other American city was said to be so open and so supportive of musical artists. Thus, the Big Easy might have been coined to refer to the ease with which a struggling musician could find work and study music at the same time.

Another possible origin for the nickname of the Big Easy is connected to the relaxed attitude toward alcohol consumption that was found in New Orleans, even during the days of Prohibition. La Nouvelle-Orleans, perhaps more than any other city, continued to enjoy an active night life that offered everything from bathtub gins to the finest wines. Anyone who wanted to enjoy a drink or two could easily find something to his or her liking among the many nightspots of New Orleans. Thus, the Big Easy could have referred to the great ease of enjoying an evening with the alcohol of one’s choice.

The relatively low cost of living in New Orleans in comparison to many major US cities, has also been suggested as the origin of the nickname of the Big Easy. Musicians were not the only professionals that could easily find work in the city. Coupled with affordable housing and plenty of fresh food and drink, even a modest paycheck would allow a relatively comfortable standard of living.

Whatever the origins of the nickname, there is no doubt that references to New Orleans as the Big Easy have increased dramatically since the release of a film in 1987, entitled The Big Easy. Set in New Orleans, the film introduced the culture and atmosphere of New Orleans to many people that only knew the city through travelogues. Today, just about everyone knows exactly what is being discussed when they hear the Big Easy mentioned. Whether conjuring images of an easy lifestyle, plenty of entertainment, or a place where music plays day and night, there is no doubt the Big Easy is now firmly a part of the national vocabulary, and will be for many years to come.