"The ATL?"
 

You folks out there don't really call it "The A.T.L." do you?

I just saw a commercial for a movie called "ATL," and it ain't about the airport.

And believe you me, it was pretty vile when "The OC" came out.

Blame Usher
 

I have heard this used for the past couple of years. The first time I heard it was in an Usher song I think and thought it was pretty stupid. Atlanta isn't a very long word but I could see Orange County being abreviated. If I lived in Atlanta, I would be offended as the last places I want be lumped in with are LA and NYC. Hopefully this goes the way of Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer as a hiphop term.

Hotter than H*LL
 

I have never heard someone call it ATL unless refering the the airport itself. That said, I have many friends who live in Atlanta and here in New York who call it Hotlanta.

I don't know if it originated there, but "The ATL" is a term that's commonly used by the host and listeners of the Jim Rome radio show. It's been that way for over 10 years.

And sometimes especially in reference to the show's golf friend Cleve Holden.

I think this is actually fairly common among some groups. For instance, when I lived there, one would here it on the urban stations all of the time. In context "the hottest club in the ATL." Even better, in my opinion, is "the ATH."

oops.