Why is Chicago known as the Windy City

Many believe that Chicago is known as the Windy City because it has harsh winters and strong cold winds off the shores of Lake Michigan. Even in the summer, the winds swirling off the lake can change the outcome of a baseball game at Wrigley Field.  While the weather pattern does in fact exist, Chicago is not the windiest city, nor is this the reason for the nickname. Many believe the term is a derogatory reference to  Chicago's vitriolic politics and self-important politicians who are  full of  hot air.  References to Chicago as the Windy City have been found all the way back to the late 1800s.