“The true New Yorker’s secret belief that people living anywhere else had to be, in some sense, kidding.”. Source
This single sentence perfectly captures a certain metropolitan mindset. It speaks to an insular pride and a worldview centered squarely on the five boroughs. For many, this observation feels like an undeniable truth about the city’s psychology. However, the story behind this famous line is more complex than a simple quip. Its journey reveals how words evolve as they travel through our cultural consciousness. Calvin Trillin – The New Yorker
This sentiment has become a famous piece of New York City lore. Yet, its exact wording and origin often spark debate. The phrase has been subtly altered and re-attributed over decades. This fascinating transformation offers a glimpse into how literature shapes our understanding of a place.
The Quote’s True Origin Story
The famous line did not come from an essayist or a sociologist. Instead, it originated in the world of fiction. Author John Updike penned the sentence in his 1982 novel, “Bech Is Back.” The quote describes the perspective of his recurring fictional character, Henry Bech. It was Bech, not Updike, who held this particular belief about the world outside New York. Source
The full passage provides essential context. Updike wrote: “The folks downtown looked merry to Bech, and the whole burg on a play scale; he had the true New Yorker’s secret belief that people living anywhere else had to be, in some sense, kidding.” This framing shows the idea as a specific character trait. It was not presented as a universal truth from the author himself. Nevertheless, the observation resonated so strongly that it soon broke free from its fictional origins.
A Phrase in Flux: How the Words Changed
Once a quote enters the public sphere, it rarely stays the same. Different publications began to adapt the line shortly after the book’s release. Each version carried a slightly different nuance, demonstrating the fluid nature of language. John Updike – Academy of Achievement
The Magazine Metamorphosis
In November 1982, The New Yorker reviewed “Bech Is Back.” The reviewer modified the phrasing significantly. They wrote about “the secret belief of the true New Yorker is that ‘people living anywhere else had to be, in some sense, kidding.'” This small change shifted the sentence’s structure and rhythm.
Subsequently, in January 1983, Mademoiselle magazine offered its own take. Its review substituted one crucial word, stating it was “the native New Yorker’s secret belief…” This change subtly altered the meaning. It shifted the focus from a chosen identity (“true New Yorker”) to one of birthright (“native New Yorker”). Consequently, the sentiment became about origins rather than attitude.
Just a few months later, in April 1983, New York magazine published another variation. This version transformed the adjective “secret” into the adverb “secretly.” It read: “the true New Yorker secretly believes…” This grammatical tweak changed how the belief is held, suggesting a more active, clandestine thought process. These variations highlight how quotes adapt to fit new contexts.
. Calvin Trillin – Yale University Press
Cemented in a Modern Collection
The quote’s evolution continued for decades. In 2011, editors Gregg Stebben and Jason Katzman included a version in “The Little Red Book of New York Wisdom.” They attributed the line directly to John Updike Papers – Harvard University Houghton Library. However, they used the modified phrasing: “The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding.” This version, using “secretly,” has become one of the most common iterations found today. This textual journey shows how a phrase can become a cultural artifact, separate from its original source.
Why This Sentiment Endures
The quote’s lasting appeal lies in its sharp and witty accuracy. It brilliantly articulates a very specific psychological phenomenon. Many people, both New Yorkers and outsiders, recognize the truth in the statement. It captures the city’s unique blend of sophistication and provincialism with incredible precision.
Furthermore, the idea speaks to New York’s status as a global hub for culture, finance, and art. For those living amidst such intensity, it can indeed feel like the rest of the world is a quieter, less serious stage. The quote is not just an observation; it is a declaration of identity. It has become a touchstone for understanding the unique, self-contained universe of the true New Yorker.