14. Why was Chicago nicknamed the Windy City?
Correct: It’s home to a whole lot of “windbag” politicians
Incorrect: It’s really windy!
While Chicago undoubtedly has some blustery weather, the name has nothing to do with the outdoor elements. In reality, according to a USA Today report, Chicago doesn’t even crack the top 10 windiest cities. Chi-town probably picked up its nickname because of the “long-winded” politicians who rose to power in the 19th century. It’s not clear when the name was used for the first time, but there was such a common word in the newspapers in the 1800s that it just stuck— for good.
