Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > June > 10 > Entry
Do you call it Atlanta or “Hotlanta?”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UPDATE: Here’s Ken Sugiura’s story about the origins and love-hate relationship with “Hotlanta.” An interesting point: “What certainly appears true is that it gets more use outside of Atlanta, in a similar vein to how no true Bostonian would ever refer to home as ‘Beantown.’”
Newsflash: Atlanta is stupid warm. Soggy, smoggy, drape-yourself-on-the-air conditioner hot.
But I do not call it Hotlanta. I am painfully aware that it’s hot. I don’t need a reminder. I need an ice pack and a Popsicle, thanks.
I hear the term often, almost always from people who don’t live here. Urban Dictionary backs me up on that.
And the AJC is plenty guilty of using it. Our archives show “Hotlanta” references as far back as 1983, when the Atlanta Journal and Constitution library dwindles off for a bit.
It looks like we peaked in 1996; it appears 41 times in our archives for that year. For the record, it was used 23 times in 2007, and four times so far this year. Another reporter here is working on a story about the nickname, and wondered what we really think about it, whether they use it, when they use it. If you’ve got an opinion and would like to share it with our readers, shoot Ken Sugiura an e-mail with “Hotlanta” in the subject line.
So newcomers and long-timers, “Hotlanta”: Hot or not?
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Make This Place Make Sense
Comments
By ShantheMan
June 10, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
I’ve always been told that the nickname “Hotlanta” had nothing to do with the city’s weather. I’ve always heard it was popularized in the 70’s because of the city’s reputation as one of the country’s best “party towns”.
By Kraw
June 10, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
it’s not hot here at all, compared to the gulf coast. Spend some time there in August and you’ll appreciate the “heat” here. Sure, it’s close to 100, but I’ll take 100 degrees and 50% humidity over 90 degrees and 90% humidity ANY day :)
hotlanta… what a laugh. I’ve been here over 2 years now, and I dread going home to visit family in the summer!
By So Not
June 10, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
So not hot! Please don’t use “hotlanta” you will age yourself, unless you are over the age of 60 then it maybe appropriate.
By Mike
June 10, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Hopefully not. Hotlanta needs to die with “the ATL.” Let tourist use those stupid expressions while they are wasting their money at Underground on junk.
By chris
June 10, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Hotlanta has always been the perfect moniker for Atlanta. It embraces both the climate and the fast-paced nightlife in the city. Too bad the city spent millions of dollars on that Brand Atlanta project to come up with that lame “Every day is an openning day” theme, when they could have had “Hotlanta” for free.
By Jeff
June 10, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Found it in the Urban Dictionary? That’s sad. Poor Atlanta.
By Taylor D Mover
June 10, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
I have been here (from Hoboken,NJ) for about twenty years. I started to hear people say Hotlanta because it was hot (weather). Then Hotlanta because it was hot (the people). Even as we speak/type hell it’s HOT!
By JSC
June 10, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
I’m a native Atlantan and I have never called the city “hotlanta”. But I’ll take “hotlanta” over the “The ATL” any day!
By Proud Hotlantan
June 10, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
I don’t care if I’m aging myself. I’m a longtime contributing resident and I rather like the sound of Hotlanta. This is a hopping, progressive party town with opportunities galore for those who seek them. “The ATL” is stupid and represents an embarrasing element (including the mayor),of this fabulous city.
By Jeanine
June 10, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Thank GOD you don’t call it Hotlanta! I shiver at the word!
By Kevin
June 10, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
How about just “The A”. I am from Detroit and we labeled our city “The D”. I don’t refer to it as Hotlanta or The ATL it sounds so elemementary and/or retarded. Not many major southern cities have an A representing it so I guess Atlanta can have that one for free!!
By chuck allison
June 10, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Those of us fortunate enough to live more than 50 miles from Atlanta call it a place to avoid.
By Dude
June 10, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
I am a white guy. I call it Atlanta.
By J
June 10, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
NO, just no….
By kp
June 10, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
I call it Hotlanta, but only when I’m talking/writing to out-of-towners and with an acknowledged sense of this-is-ridiculous. So, I use it (and I’m a native Atlantan), but never in earnest.
By Ty
June 10, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Hey, we call it Hotlanta for all the hot acts that comes out of Atlanta music wise,Not because of the weather.You guys got it twisted.This is why I’m hot and you’re not.Music baby thas all.
By Goatatl
June 10, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
“Hotlanta” is definitely for tourists \ transplants. As for “The ATL” Urban Dictionary sums it up best: “Used by ghetto retards that are trying to abbreviate Atlanta but are too dumb, drunk, high, or a combination of the three to realize that ATL and Atlanta have the same amount of syllables.”
By Tim
June 10, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
I don’t call it ‘Hotlanta’, nor do I call it ‘The A-T-L’. Both sound too thug to me.
By The O-Gee
June 10, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Since atlanta stinks as compared to gorwn-up cites, Fartlanta seems more apropos.
By Scorp
June 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
I call it simply “ATL”- not THE ATL. It’s nothing thug about it, and it’s sad that some of you feel that way.
By kevin
June 10, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
i call it sh&t hole
By sam
June 10, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
When did six flags get so junky?
By Zedd
June 10, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
I am a native (funny how we must state that fact these days) and I grew up hearing Hotlanta in the 80’s. On TV, the movies, radio, etc. I nevewr used it but I definately would prefer it over “The ATL”. That one really makes me cringe. And if you think it’s not thug, think again.
Hey, here’s a thought, why not just call it “Atlanta”????
By Steeledawg
June 10, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
I am not sure if they originated the saying, but the Allman Bros. have a song called Hotlanta. It dates to the early ‘70’s.
I don’t mind the phrase, but as a native I never use it.
By Zedd
June 10, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Another thing that annoys the hell out of me…
There are two “T’s” in AtlanTa. It’s not pronounced “uhlanna” or “atlanna”.