What do Americans think of the word Yank?

Question

I'm just curious what Americans think of this word as I wouldn't say it was derogatory, just really not flattering. Is it because I'm from the UK? Do you know what I mean?

Think Australian's call us Pommy's but I tend to find their accent "Strange" so it doesn't bother me. Also, not heard of Limey before. Lol.

Answer 1

I'm not offended at all. In fact I would more than likely laugh or chuckle if anyone ever called me a Yank.

But it also depends on what circumstances you put 'yank' in. If you were talking about Americans as a whole, maybe - maybe not. It depends on the person's views in life.

"Yank' is also used for Northerners in comparison to Southerners in the US. That, itself, is back from at least the American Civil War time period. Technically it is a derogatory word.

Though I do understand that it is a sort of 'nickname' for Americans in general.

Either way, it would more than likely be best if you didn't come up to strange people (Americans) and call them a Yank.

Answer 2

I'm an American living in the UK and I actually wish people would call me Yank more. Despite some evidence to the contrary, I've always felt that there is an element of endearment in it - sort of like 'mate' or 'chap' but Yank also acknowleges your national heritage, as I seomtimes feel silly being called mate.

Answer 3

Personally I don't like the term as it is derived from a Native Algonquin word Yan kee which means white person. I am Siksika Blackfoot of The Blackfeet Nation so I actually know the meaning and origination.
I generally ignore the use of the term but I do like to inform people of it's actual meaning so perhaps it can be used appropriately.

Answer 4

If you are from the UK you should be proud to use the word Yank and this is why..........
When the Pilgrim Fathers left Plymouth they head for a new land called the Americas. They settled and traded with the Native Americans whom they called Injuns (Indians) in their West country brogue in turn the Injuns called them Yinglis (English). Yinglis over time has become Yankees.
So Yank or Yankee is NOT derogatory in any way if used by us for or to our American cousins.

Answer 5

The be conscious Yankee or Yank comes from an previous French dialect be conscious "l'anglais" meaning "English". In previous situations, the British reported it as "Y'an-gee. i don't be attentive to why they tacked the be conscious onto individuals, even though it would not hassle me in any respect. maximum of my uk pals call me a Yank. I call the British, British or Brits for short.

Answer 6

Don't care, we have a baseball team named the Yankees. Some southerners still call people up north Yanks and northerners call them Rednecks. It is kind of a joke. If someone was trying to hurt my feelings and call me a yank I would laugh.

Answer 7

I don't really find it offensive; course I understand where it came from and its history. Call me crazy, but I'm glad we're our own country. Course, I think most people would think of it as reference to "Yankee" which is how we differentiated the North and the South in the Civil War (for some that is still going on) :)

Answer 8

Most Americans use the term in reference to people from the Northern United States. And it's used with the same way - not derogatory, but not particularly nice.

Answer 9

Yank:

Pull or tug... nothing else really.

If I were visiting the UK and someone yelled out YANK! at the top of their lungs, I probably wouldn't pay them any attention (mostly because I wouldn't know that they were referring to me, and if they were... I wouldn't really care.).

It's such an archaic/outdated/unimportant/uninteresting term anyway. Who cares? I sure don't.

Answer 10

It depends on what part of the US you are from.

"Yank" as brits use it is basically a slang term that refers to Americans. Sort of like me calling you a brit.. its not intended to offend, therefor it does not.

In the American South, Yank or Yankee is an somewhat offensive term for a Northerner - a term that stems from the civil war.