It's A Philly Thing Crewneck Meaning and History

The Meaning Behind the "It's a Philly Thing" Slogan

The phrase "It's a Philly thing" has become a popular slogan representing the city of Philadelphia. It emerged as a way for Philadelphians to convey their unique attitudes, dialects, foods, and experiences that those not from the city might not fully understand.

The saying suggests that quintessential elements of Philadelphia culture - from Philly cheesesteaks to the accent to fans' passion for local sports teams - provoke confusion or bewilderment from outsiders. But for those from Philly, these attributes are a point of pride and part of what gives the city its distinctive flavor.

Philadelphia's Reputation as a Tough, No-Nonsense Town

In many ways, the slogan plays into Philadelphia's reputation as a no-nonsense town with a rough-around-the-edges attitude. The city has long-cultivated an image as a hardcore, blue-collar place where people work hard and tell it like it is.

The slogan suggests that quintessentially Philly phenomena are hard for those not immersed in that culture to comprehend. The phrase implies a parochial pride, as if Philadelphians pat themselves on the back for navigating a city with its own code that visitors find perplexing.

Examples of Philadelphia Oddities

Some examples that Philadelphians think give their city its difficult-to-penetrate folkways include:

• The Philadelphia accent and dialect words
• Cult-favorite foods like cheesesteaks, hoagies, water ice, soft pretzels, and scrapple
• The notoriously boisterous and intense fan culture around Philadelphia sports
• Philadelphia's reputation as one of America's grittier large cities

These hallmarks prompt head-scratching from outsiders even as locals take pride in them as part of Philadelphia's singular allure.

The "It's a Philly Thing" Phenomenon Spreads

Over time, the "It's a Philly thing" slogan grew legs beyond serving as insider shorthand for how Philadelphians view their city's quirks.

The phrase became emblazoned across t-shirts and souvenirs as the city's unofficial motto. For fans wanting to broadcast their Philadelphia roots while traveling or those eager to tap into the Philly mindset from afar, wearing a shirt or hat with the slogan served as a way to feel part of the club.

"It’s a Philly Thing" as Sports Culture Rallying Cry

Interestingly, as the slogan expanded in popularity, it became very closely associated with Philadelphia sports fandom. Supporters of teams like the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers began using "It's a Philly thing" as a shorthand way to bond over the triumphs and agonies of rooting for the city's franchises.

In this context, "It's a Philly thing" suggests that only those persevering alongside their fellow fans can understand what it's like cope with the highs and lows. It's an acknowledgement that the manic passion driving Philadelphia fans is hard for outsiders to grasp.

Breakout Moments for "It's a Philly Thing"

The slogan gained national prominence after the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl victory in 2018. As ecstatic crowds celebrated the championship, TV crews couldn't resist filming all the signage plastered with "It's a Philly thing" that captured the experience.

In subsequent years, as young NBA star Ben Simmons rose to prominence, he was eager to play up his Australian roots meshed with adopted Philly swagger, making "It's a Philly thing" his go-to phrase to highlight that hybrid identity.

The "It's a Philly Thing" Crewneck Craze

Building off the slogan's popularity, clothing brands raced to produce shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies that featured the "It's a Philly thing" phrase in response to intense demand.

In particular, crews and crewnecks sporting the slogan became ubiquitous at Philadelphia sports events and around the city. These cozy pullovers allowed fans to flaunt their Philly pride in comfort through the fall and winter seasons.

Jalen Hurts Takes "It's a Philly Thing" to New Heights

The fashion trend exploded to new levels when Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts adopted "It's a Philly thing" as his personal catchphrase. His meteoric rise meshed perfectly with the slogan, capturing the Eagles' status as ultimate underdogs overcoming the odds.

As Hurts led a magical 2022 season dripping in Philly bonding, his constant invocation of "It's a Philly thing" created cult-hero status. Fans clamored for any gear displaying Hurts' identifying mantra.

Custom Crewnecks Join the Party

To feed fan demand to align with Jalen Hurts' power slogan, providers flooded the market with customized "It's a Philly thing" crewnecks. Local printers churned out unique batches to give fans options beyond mass-produced offerings.

These specialty runs allowed Philly football devotees to support Hurts' ascent personally. The customized nature retained the intimate, insider-y sentiment at the slogan's core for customers eager to display their Eagles ardor.

As Philadelphia teams inspire intense local passion, the "It's a Philly thing" craze displays that no rallying cry resonates quite like one championing the city's parochial sports psyche. When expanded to crewnecks, fans can proudly wear that provincial mentality - impossible for outsiders to grasp - on their sleeves.

FAQs

When did the "It's a Philly thing" slogan first emerge?

The origins of the exact phrase are unclear, but it arose as a way for Philadelphians to explain the city's unique, sometimes perplexing traditions and attitudes in the early 2000s. It became part of local lore before gaining wider recognition later on.

How did the slogan make the leap to sports fandom?

As the slogan grew prominent in broader city culture, Philadelphia sports fans adopted it as a way to highlight their intense passion and extreme highs-and-lows supporting local teams. It especially took off when the Eagles won the 2018 Super Bowl.

Why did Jalen Hurts spark an "It's a Philly thing" apparel craze?

As Hurts emerged as an electrifying, breakout star for the Eagles in 2022, his embrace of the slogan as his personal catchphrase created immense fan fervor. Supporters clamored for gear aligning with Hurts' rising legend.

What is the appeal of "It's a Philly thing" crewnecks?

The crewneck style allows fans to display "It's a Philly thing" pride comfortably in cooler weather. Local custom versions also let Eagles devotees owns slogan pieces with intimate, insider touches. Their niche status heightens their ability to signal fans' provincial sports passion.