The Term "Yank" - Page 3

iRiSh · 02-09-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwoods357

Again not at all offensive, same as brit, aussie, kiwi, paki ect. People can add a negative connotation but by itself innocent.

In Ireland the term "Paki" is very offensive.

RGD. · 02-05-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iRiSh

I'll give you an example.

Traditional Irish craft shop owner, Dublin city centre

" the shop has seen a vast decline in turnover this year, there doesn't seem to be as many tourists around, especially noticed there arnt as many yanks visiting"

Offensive?

Not offensive. I'm sure at some point in history the word was derived to be derogatory but as Americans on the whole I don't think we find the word to be. We have embraced it. We use it to name sports teams, ships as in Yankee Clippers, Yankee Candles, Yankee bird feeders, Yankee drills, etc. We have penned songs such as: Yankee Doodle and The Yanks are Coming, etc.

And just thinking about it - I don't believe I have ever heard the term used outside of the British and/or any former British colony/ruled country.

So continue on using the word "Yanks" to refer to us when you are outside of the USA. If on the other hand you find yourself in the US - in the South - use the word Yankee's and precede it with "f**king" . . . you will be right at home -

Ron (Born and Raised Southerner)

icehog3 · 02-05-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

It's all perspective! I thought he was referring to an action! As in "I yanked o.....". Er..... Never mind!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcWatNGKxEo

Subvet642 · 02-05-2012, 05:53 AM

Properly, a Yankee is a New Englander. I believe it derives from the Dutch word for "Johnny", a reference to the English speaking colonists of New England, IIRC.

Silound · 02-05-2012, 09:39 AM

There is no official record of where the term "Yank" came to refer to Americans, but by the end of WWI it was so widely used that by WWII it had stuck. The most common theories here are either a shortening of the phrase "Yankee", or more recently a reference to the song "Yankee Doodle".

Similarly, the term "Yankee" has no clear origins, although the most common two theories involve either Cherokee origins or Dutch origins. Neither one is exactly friendly.

Most historians I have read agree that the origins of both words have probably been forgotten multiple times throughout history, and both have been re-purposed and originated again from new meaning in different time periods.

SvilleKid · 02-05-2012, 09:52 AM

It's all perspective! I thought he was referring to an action! As in "I yanked o.....". Er..... Never mind!

MrClean · 02-05-2012, 06:00 PM

If I was called a 'yank', I'd just assume that person knows a little too much about how I spend my personal time.

Subvet642 · 02-09-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClean

If I was called a 'yank', I'd just assume that person knows a little too much about how I spend my personal time.

...and sadly, now so do we.

Blak Smyth · 02-09-2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iRiSh

Irish people are refered to as "paddies" by some people in nations such as britain. To me it entirely depends on who is saying it (friend or stranger) and what context its said in wether its offensive or not

I hear people call Irish people Mics, not sure why though and I don't know if it is offensive.
I don't care what you call me but I have never been called a Yank to my face

I get called Limey alot by Digs because I am English by heritage, but I don't mind it.

icehog3 · 02-09-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

I hear people call Irish people Mics, not sure why though and I don't know if it is offensive.

Because of Irish surnames.

McCarthy
McMurphy
McLoughlin
McGrath
McDonnell

etc, etc.

Blak Smyth · 02-09-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Because of Irish surnames.

McCarthy
McMurphy
McLoughlin
McGrath
McDonnell

etc, etc.

Powers · 02-09-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Because of Irish surnames.

McCarthy
McMurphy
McLoughlin
McGrath
McDonnell

etc, etc.

I prefer a good Irish name like Powers

icehog3 · 02-09-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powers

I prefer a good Irish name like Powers

I like dropping the Mc to come up with the greatest Irish surname of all, Murphy.

iRiSh · 11-10-2012, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

I like dropping the Mc to come up with the greatest Irish surname of all, Murphy.

what about McMurphy

bvilchez · 11-10-2012, 05:50 AM

What made you get the defibrillator?

shark · 11-10-2012, 05:59 AM

So being called a fuc&ing Yankee by a woman from Mississippi is a bad thing?

02-05-2012, 05:53 AM	#4
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: The Term "Yank" Properly, a Yankee is a New Englander. I believe it derives from the Dutch word for "Johnny", a reference to the English speaking colonists of New England, IIRC. __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

02-05-2012, 09:39 AM	#5
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: The Term "Yank" There is no official record of where the term "Yank" came to refer to Americans, but by the end of WWI it was so widely used that by WWII it had stuck. The most common theories here are either a shortening of the phrase "Yankee", or more recently a reference to the song "Yankee Doodle". Similarly, the term "Yankee" has no clear origins, although the most common two theories involve either Cherokee origins or Dutch origins. Neither one is exactly friendly. Most historians I have read agree that the origins of both words have probably been forgotten multiple times throughout history, and both have been re-purposed and originated again from new meaning in different time periods. __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

02-05-2012, 09:52 AM	#6
SvilleKid Yes I am a Pirate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 33°46′08″N 86°28′16″W / 33.76895°N 86.471037°W Posts: 2,776 Trading: (52)	Re: The Term "Yank" It's all perspective! I thought he was referring to an action! As in "I yanked o.....". Er..... Never mind! __________________ Ceilin' fan it stirs the air, Cigar smoke does swirl. The fragrance on the pillow case, and he thinks about the girl. Thanks, JB, 1975.

02-05-2012, 06:00 PM	#7
MrClean Bald Man Join Date: Sep 2011 First Name: Jeff Location: KC MO Posts: 2,229 Trading: (28)	Re: The Term "Yank" If I was called a 'yank', I'd just assume that person knows a little too much about how I spend my personal time. __________________ http://jeffcarrollphotos.com Not a photographer, just a dude with a camera. Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

11-10-2012, 05:50 AM	#15
bvilchez En búsqueda..... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bolivar aka Jay Location: Back in SoCal Posts: 3,202 Trading: (76)	Re: The Term "Yank" What made you get the defibrillator?

11-10-2012, 05:59 AM	#16
shark Cigar Smokin' Patriot Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ron Location: Michigan Posts: 3,616 Trading: (0)	Re: The Term "Yank" So being called a fuc&ing Yankee by a woman from Mississippi is a bad thing? __________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds