Wikipedia states that the term first appeared in the Annexed District of the Bronx created in 1874. The article further mentions that it is attributed to the style of referring to rivers in general.. ( Like 'the Hudson' 'the Mississippi' and 'the Missouri and of course 'the Bronx'.) The Bronx River flows thru the Northern part of the Bronx and empties into the East River. Check it out on Wikipedia. And all these years I've wondered 'Why'. Now I finally feel contentent. Jim McCarthy </HTML>