The Term "Yank"

[RGD.]

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]

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

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by sikk50

Honestly....I'm 25 and always watch old movies. I never hear the term used out here in SoCal, but have always looked forward to being called it one day. Being a word you hear thrown around casually in old movies but appears nearly outdated now gives it a sort of romance of its own. Odd, I know, but for some reason ive never thought of it as a derogatory term. But I guess I've never been exposed to being called derogatory terms (other than redneck) so I don't have the experience to fathom the feeling some get from derogatory terms.

Wanker!!!

[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.

[iRiSh]

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.

[Blak Smyth]

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.

[Subvet642]

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.

[icehog3]

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]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Because of Irish surnames.

McCarthy
McMurphy
McLoughlin
McGrath
McDonnell

etc, etc.

[Powers]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Because of Irish surnames.

McCarthy
McMurphy
McLoughlin
McGrath
McDonnell

etc, etc.

I prefer a good Irish name like Powers

[icehog3]

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.

Originally Posted by floydpink

I was recently called a slack ass cracker and am not sure if I should be proud....

If you're in north Florida then being a cracker is good, right? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_cracker

You might need to work on that slack ass thing, though.

[billybarue]

Off point from the OP, but we lived down in Shreveport, LA for the last 5+ years. Got along reall well with my neighbor. Never thought much of it but he mostly called me "Damn Yankee", which I thought was in jest. That is until I told him we were were moving. Oddly, after he found out we were moving up to Indiana he no longer used Damn and just called me "Yankee".

[iRiSh]

Originally Posted by icehog3

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

what about McMurphy

[bvilchez]

What made you get the defibrillator?

[shark]

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