why do english people call us yanks and do you enjoy the company of a yank?

Answer 1

There are many theories explaining the origin of the word. The debate is still open on that one.

British troops gave new derogatroy meaning to the word when the played the song Yankee Doodle Dandy as an insult to the citizens of Boston ("doodle" was a slang word for 'dolt' or 'penis')
The version of the song we know today has been altered from the original.

After the battles at Lexington and Concord, the Americans taunted the retreating British with the word, giving it a new complimentary sense.

It now generally refers to an American, without intending to insult.
It's most often used to describe residents of the New England states. It's simply a slang word no different than calling a Nova Scotian a "Bluenoser" (after the schooner), or someone from Ontario and "Upper Canuck". They are fun words that add colour to our speech.

Answer 2

I wouldn't consider the word yank to be derogetory, and it is kinda nice that Americans don't mind it, up till now, I thought the only person that could be joked at without being un pc was a white English male as people like me couldn't give a monkeys gonad.

I do like the company of a yank, without sounding too general, they seem to have more energy and enthusiasm ( well, the ones I've met anyway ). Not forgetting that some can be dicks, just like every body else

Answer 3

I don't really know to be honest...
I am from the U.K and don't really refer to Americans as "yanks", I just think it is a bit insulting perhaps and would rather not.
Yes, I enjoy the company of some "yanks". However, of course I do not of others. Anyone, from any country is not going to like every single American!!!
Although, I know a few and I love those who I do know, and when I visited America I was always surrounded by friendly, lovely people.

Answer 4

I don't call you yanks, and I might enjoy you're company but thats the same as saying do i enjoy the company of english people, some I do and some I don't.

Answer 5

YANKEE, n. A corrupt pronunciation of the word English by the native Indians of America

1. A native or inhabitant of New England. 2. A native or inhabitant of a northern U.S. state, especially a Union soldier during the Civil War. 3. A native or inhabitant of the United States.

ETYMOLOGY: Probably from Dutch Janke, nickname of Jan, John.

WORD HISTORY: The origin of Yankee has been the subject of much debate, but the most likely source is the Dutch name Janke, meaning “little Jan” or “little John,” a nickname that dates back to the 1680s. Perhaps because it was used as the name of pirates, the name Yankee came to be used as a term of contempt. It was used this way in the 1750s by General James Wolfe, the British general who secured British domination of North America by defeating the French at Quebec. The name may have been applied to New Englanders as an extension of an original use referring to Dutch settlers living along the Hudson River. Whatever the reason, Yankee is first recorded in 1765 as a name for an inhabitant of New England. The first recorded use of the term by the British to refer to Americans in general appears in the 1780s, in a letter by Lord Horatio Nelson, no less. Around the same time it began to be abbreviated to Yank. During the American Revolution, American soldiers adopted this term of derision as a term of national pride. The derisive use nonetheless remained alive and even intensified in the South during the Civil War, when it referred not to all Americans but to those loyal to the Union. Now the term carries less emotion—except of course for baseball fans.

Answer 6

From YAHNGHEE (phonetic spelling) a Native American word for white man - have you not read or seen The Last Of The Mohicans ??? LOL
And no I`ve NEVER enjoyed the company of a Yank - I did however enjoy time spent beauty I knew from Shreveport Louisiana.

Answer 7

hello I'm from Scotland and therefore not English ( ha ha !!! ) ,but us Brits have called you Americans yanks for ages . i think it got popular to call an American a yank when you guys joined in with WW 2 and came to Britain . a lot of the British guys didn't like the American GI 's and i suppose yank was a slang word used . could it come from that song Yankee doodle dandy ( you know that one ) i have no problem with my American friends and find you very pleasant ( i work at an airport !!!! ) i have no problem if you call me a jock as i am proud to be a jock !!!! och aye the noo !!! fit like manny !!!!

Answer 8

I think it is shor for Yankie as in Yankie Doodle. I am a Yank so I got the company of Yanks more often than not. I suppose that I do enjoy my friends. It is kind of hard to give you a yes there. but yes, I enjoy my friends' company.

Answer 9

Its a nickname Yank/s or Yankee/s. I cant say whether I enjoy the company of a yank as the ones I have met have been loud,rude,vulgar and impolite if I ever meet any that aren't I'll let you know whether I enjoy their company or not.

Answer 10

I'm english and I dont actually think I know any1 hu even uses the word yank lol