Braggarts(noun)
(brag·gart)
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/braggart
definition
a loud arrogant boaster (a statement expressing excessive pride in oneself)
In “The Way We Live Now:11-11-01;lost and Found” by Colson Whitehead he states“History books and public television documentaries are always trying to tell you all sorts of ”facts” about New York. That Canal Street used to be a canal. That Bryant Park used to be a reservoir. It’s all hokum. I’ve been to Canal Street, and the only time I ever saw a river flow through it was during the last water-main explosion. Never listen to what people tell you about old New York, because if you didn’t witness it, it is not a part of your New York and might as well be Jersey. Although that bit about the Dutch buying Manhattan for 24 bucks might have something to it — there are and always will be braggarts who ”got in at the right time.”
In other words,Colson Whitehead is saying that many people like to brag or boast falseness to their true New York experience. Although it is the great big apple its better off to not believe otherwise until proven true. Ultimately we each hold our own perspective and experiences of what New York means to us.
