Why don't Yanks like being called YANKS?

Question

Dunno what the problem is after all they call us Limeys and we couldn't give a hoot!

Sheley from the UK speaks for all the Yanks thanks but who made you their spokesperson?

Answer 1

Possible reasons include the fact that the term "Yankee" is applied inhabitants of the original 13 colonies, so those South of the Mason-Dixon tend to get offended, as they used it as a term of disparagement for Unionists in the civil war.

In Latin America they use the term "Yanqui" as a blanket term for US citizens, who they tend to view in a negative light.

Of course, not ALL yanks object to the term- there is a well-known Bronx-based baseball team with that name...

Answer 2

Yank is fine with me. I have been called worse and the callers have survived.

BTW, I hope Brit is OK. I know why you picked up the nickname of Limey and I have respect for anyone who discovers the cause and develops a cure for any debilitating condition. Ricketts was literally killing sailors until someone discovered it was caused by a vitamin C deficiency. The British Navy cleared the problem completely by just having limes available to all their sailors.

If you ever hear me use the word Limey, rest assured, it is with the utmost respect.

Have a good day Brit, from your friendly Yank.

Answer 3

to make what Fred mentioned nevertheless extra complicated To foreigners, a Yankee is an American. To individuals, a Yankee is a Northerner. To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner. To Easterners, a Yankee is a clean Englander. To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter. And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast. or To a Vermonter, a Yankee is somebody who nevertheless makes use of an outhouse the american's are a universally hated baseball group the tries to purchase the pennit ever 3 hundred and sixty 5 days by potential of there wealthy proprietor. they the place uniforms with pin strips so as that they seem much less fat. the place because of the fact the pink socks are the cherished family members group of Boston.

Answer 4

Yanks are about as happy to be yanks as what we are to be limeys or pommies....... being called a limey doesnt pay my wages, keep my house or stop me from having friends.... so to cut a long story short, i really dont give a damn old chap.... and suprisingly... neither do they

I'm not trying to be anyones 'spokesperson'....in the same way that you are not 'assuming' that ALL yanks hate to be called yanks ;-)

Answer 5

Because Yankee in American English refers to an inhabitant of the Northern States only, and Americans from the South, who are not Yankees, would find this particularly offensive. Very few Americans even know what "limey" means nowadays.

Answer 6

The word yanks comes from the Indian dialects. They could not pronounce "the English" properly and said yengees which became yankees. Don't forget civil war, anti slavery etc etc.

Answer 7

I don't call British people Limeys; I do not call Irish people Harps. I think the Yanks name was popluar in WWII but come on - that was 60 years ago....

Answer 8

I couldn't care less about being called a yank and I don't know anybody who cares either.

Answer 9

I don't like to be called a Yank, because only Yankee's are Yanks.. and I'm from the South... So call all the Northerner's Yanks... but don't call me that unlesss you want a shotgun in your face.

Answer 10

Yeah...I mean Yanks sounds better than being called a stinking tosser! they should be happy with yank!