I don't call it that; the people who live in it do. The people who live in San Jose call it "That smaller city to the north." The people in the East Bay call it "That place that's five miles, in other words a couple of hours, away."
C'mon it's nice, but I must agree StevO it is overated. San Jose is a bit too messy for my taste, and unless you're on the hill on the east side (2 hours away) I'd stay away. Now Mendecino, that's another story.
I never said it wasn't nice; however having lived in both the South Bay (not San Jose - which, admittedly, is a really boring city) and the East Bay, the attitude of the people actually living in The City definitely is annoying.