Atlanta has spent a lot of money recently on a pr/marketing campaign to nickname the city "ATL". I think the city has wasted its money. I don't think you can force a nickname.

And when did the West Coast become the Left Coast? Is that just the geography or the political slant as well?

LLindaC - Puerto Vallarta is in Mexico. Sorry if this question pertained only to the united states.

Oh, I know where it is, I assumed you meant PVR is their airport, right?

Yes.

I was only trying to make the (obviously weak) example of different ways people misuse city names, per your original question.

People post "What resort should I stay at in PVR?" which technically does not make sense since that is the airport code.

Regarding San Francisco, I have never heard of any native of San Francisco refer to it as San Fran. Never!

I tend to say The City to family members and also to friends that live in N CA..we all know what that means.

Using the initials SF is certainly very acceptable when writing. So, IMO, is typing CA and Calif. but please, double please, don't use Cali. Thanks!

There are some nicknames that will drive locals crazy.

No Cali No Frisco

SF, The City, LA, SoCal, OC, CA are used and you are fine with those.

I used to live in Northern Virginia, which is distinct from the rest of VA in the minds of those that reside there. Even though I moved many years ago, Northern Virginia is where I'm from. When we go to Washington, D.C., we go downtown, or into the city, which is probably true for most cities. We also say D.C. I hear people on t.v. refer to D.C. as the District of Columbia, but locals say D.C. in conversation.

no complaints from a VEGASnative! Although when I travel and people ask where I'm from I always say "Las Vegas", but here in town it's "Vegas" baby!

This has been a very informative thread. Having lived in Texas now for 20 years, there isn't really a "nickname" (or for Houston, for that matter except the lesser known house town or h town). I've said San Fran before (sorry) and never cisco but it's always with fondness so not meaning any harm really. I tend to use airport codes alot when posting here since it's usually when i'm booking things and get into a habit when I ask for recommendations or give advice.

...will have to be more careful, I see. However, you could always give the other person the benefit of the doubt and think they don't mean to irritate you and like me say it with fondness? Just a thought.

Cisco is cool. frisco isn't. You may have invented a new groovy word.

Hehe. Sorry about that. I have heard it called Cisco before too though...

OH maria, now SanFrancisco is known as Cisco, LOL. Well I give up!!

But I do wonder if someone post a question regarding Cisco, Cali how many responses they will receive regarding San Francisco, California.

Do you remember the War song:
Cisco kid was a friend of mine
He drank whiskey Poncho drink the wine

twas okay in the 70's!

I think suze summed up the "rules" very nicely!

Here in South Florida, the ones that separate the tourists from the natives are "SoFla" and "SoBe" (for South Beach). Arrggggh! I think these were conjured up by our lame chamber of commerce people... trying SO hard to be what we're not (i.e. SoCal or SoHo). SoTacky!

Milwaukee is never shortened.
Madison is often called Mad City - although that's more of a comment and not really shorter at all.

michelleNYC and virginia: You both say you have friends from San Francisco who say "San Fran". Well actually virginia said "ppl from cal refer to san fran"

That seems HIGHLY unlikely to me. Now the ones virgina mentions might be from LA or OC - but certainly not from northern California.

And michelle says many many friends from SF say that.

I'm a native Californian who has lived here for many decades and have never (ever heard anyone from here say San Fran.