Why are the people of the U.S.A. known as YANKS?

Question

I think I know the answer, but do the Americans.

Answer 1

It is story of bad pronouceation.

when we europeans invaded North America, we started wars with each other using the native tribes. 'Yankish' is considered to be a corrupt pronunciation of the word English. To be a bit more precise, it is a coruption of the French word for English, Anglais, as it was pronounced by the native Indians of America, who were recruited by the french in Canada to war on the Colonists in New England.

Thus Yankee it became a nickname given to the English colonists of Connecticut by the Dutch settlers of New York.

As new colonist poured in, it became the nickname for a native or citizen of New England, especially one descended from old New England stock.

During the American War of Independence 'Yankee Doodle', a song was sung with derision by the British troops about the American soldiers, however after the battle of Bunker Hill, the Americans took it up as a war cry.

During the American civil war - an inhabitant of the Northern States became a Yankee, as distinguished from a Southerner

The name Yank, was used by the troops in Norther France, to describe the American troops who joined the trench warefare in 1917 - thus is now used by many non-americans to describe any inhabitant of the United States.

Answer 2

It actually dates to when America was a British & French colony. The original indians couldn't pronounce "English" or "Anglais" and it came out something like "Yengees", which then got even more corrupted to "Yankees" and then shortened to "Yanks". It is ironic that it ended up being used used by us to describe Americans, when it originally referred to us.

Answer 3

The United States use to do a lot of whaling from the upper North East ( above Massachussetts). I bellieve in the 1800's. The ships that they used were called Yankee Clippers. This may be the origin of the name.

Answer 4

It's something to do with the original French name which has since become corrupted (so no change there ! ! !) and it was all fully explained by one of them on the UK site a couple of mornings ago, but I was so disinterested that I've forgotten already! Sorry !
OF COURSE, somebody will come up with half of Wikipedia for you in a minute or two!

Answer 5

i think i know where your going with this, but isnt it only New Yorkers who are known as yanks?

Answer 6

Bad pronounciation, history and as usual laziness when talking!

Answer 7

because it rhymes with.......................?